Former Trump campaign adviser Steve Bannon was indicted by a federal grand jury over his refusal to comply with a subpoena from the Jan. 6 congressional committee.
The committee investigating the Jan. 6 rioting at the U.S. Capitol subpoenaed Bannon to appear on Oct. 14 before the panel. It was one of almost 3 dozen subpoenas the committee has issued to former Trump officials and aides.
Bannon was charged with two counts of contempt of Congress, one related to his failure to appear and another for failure to produce documents requested. His lawyer had sent a statement to Congress saying that he would not respond until the claims of executive privilege by former President Donald Trump were settled.
Prosecutors issued an arrest warrant for Bannon, who is expected to surrender himself to custody on Monday.
U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland released a statement announcing the indictment on Friday.
“Since my first day in office, I have promised Justice Department employees that together we would show the American people by word and deed that the department adheres to the rule of law, follows the facts and the law and pursues equal justice under the law,” he claimed.
If convicted of the crime, Bannon could face up to a year in prison and a fine between $100 and $1,000 for each of the two counts.
The House of Representatives voted in favor of a criminal contempt referral for Bannon in late October.
The indictment could serve as a warning to others who have been subpoenaed but have yet to comply with the demands of the Jan. 6 committee.
Democrat Rep. Adam Schiff of California specifically cited it as a warning in a tweet he posted after the indictment was reported.
“A grand jury just indicted Steve Bannon for contempt of Congress. Let this send a message to all those with knowledge of the attack on our democracy: The days of defying subpoenas with impunity are over,” tweeted Schiff.
“We will expose those responsible for Jan 6,” he added. “No one is above the law.”
Here’s more about the indictment against Bannon:
Steve Bannon indicted for contempt of Congress
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