Steve Bannon news: Ex-White House strategist won’t be detained before trial as Trump judge given case
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Your support makes all the difference.Less than a year after he was granted a last-minute pardon by former President Donald Trump, former White House Chief Strategist Steve Bannon is in FBI custody once more.
The conservative podcast host and former Breitbart News chairman surrendered himself at the FBI’s Washington Field Office shortly after 9.30 am on Monday.
On Friday, a District of Columbia grand jury indicted Mr Bannon on two counts of criminal contempt of Congress, the result of a referral by the House of Representatives last month after he defied a subpoena commanding him to give evidence before the House select committee investigating the 6 January insurrection.
As he walked towards the FBI building, he stopped briefly to address a camera that was live-streaming his surrender for his War Room podcast.
He told his viewers: “I don’t want anybody to take their eye off the ball, what we do every day” and declared that he and his supporters were “taking down the Biden regime” and called the case against him “all noise, not signal”.
At a short hearing, Mr Bannon surrendered his passport and agreed to weekly check-ins withpretrial services. His arraignment is set for Thursday at 11am.
The case has been assigned to Judge Carl Nichols, a 2019 Trump appointee.
Trump voiced support for Bannon on Sunday
Former President Donald Trump released a statement via his spokesperson on Twitter on Sunday denouncing the treatment of Mr Bannon in a rambling rant about how the US is “failing at a level at which we have never seen before”.
“This Country has perhaps never done to anyone what they have done to Steve Bannon and they are looking to do it to others, also,” he said.
Former Trump adviser claims Bannon in handcuffs
Boris Epshteyn, former President Donald Trump’s 2020 strategic adviser and special assistant, has angrily tweeted that Mr Bannon is being held in handcuffs.
He calls the charging of Mr Bannon “political persecution”.
Bannon transported to district courthouse
Bannon has been transported to the district courthouse via the underground garage in an unmarked vehicle.
No cameras were there to capture the moment, but a member of his entourage told news crews stationed at Marshall Plaza, CBS News’ Catherine Herridge reports.
Full Story: Steve Bannon surrenders to FBI after criminal charge for defying Capitol riot committee
Just joining us?
The Independent’s Andrew Feinberg has to the full story from Washington, DC.
Steve Bannon surrenders to FBI after charge for defying Capitol riot committee
The former Trump adviser recieved a presidential pardon earlier this year but now faces new criminal charges over his refusal to give evidence before the Capitol riot committee
Bannon as alt-right martyr?
Nothing would suit Steve Bannon more than to be an alt-right martyr in prison, writes Sean O’Grady.
Opinion: It would suit Steve Bannon to be an alt-right martyr in prison
The whole Bannon shtick, absurdly, is that he’s the little guy being bullied by a crooked elite looking, as ever, after their own interests, and terrified of the people and the people’s continuing president, Donald J Trump
Republicans furious at vote holding Bannon in contempt of Congress
Republicans raged against a House vote to hold former Trump adviser Steve Bannon in contempt of Congress after he refused to provide evidence before the House select committee that is investigating the 6 January riot on Capitol Hill, Eric Garcia reports.
Bannon in court
Bannon is now in court for his initial appearance on two contempt of Congress charges.
Magistrate Judge Robin Meriweather has advised him of his rights.
The case has been assigned to Judge Carl Nichols going forward. Mr Nichols is a 2019 Donald Trump appointee
No arraignment today for Bannon
There is no arraignment today for Mr Bannon as his lawyer says he is willing to waive it. A status hearing before Judge Nichols is set for Thursday 18 November at 11am.
Mr Bannon’s team says they would prefer a virtual hearing.
Bannon to report weekly to pretrial services
Pretrial services recommended that Mr Bannon surrender his passport, which is already in their possession, and that he report in once a week. He will also have to report any travel plans.
His defence team has no objections.
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