DOJ calls on Supreme Court to deny Steve Bannon's request to delay prison start date

The Justice Department has urged the Supreme Court to deny former Trump aide Steve Bannon's request to delay his prison sentence for contempt of Congress. Bannon, a staunch Trump ally, was convicted for failing to comply with a subpoena related to the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot investigation. The Biden administration argued that Bannon did not meet the standard for exceptional relief and must begin serving his four-month sentence by July 1. Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar emphasized Bannon's total noncompliance with the subpoena, stating that he failed to produce documents or appear for his deposition. Bannon's appeal was rejected by a three-judge panel, leading to his emergency request to the Supreme Court to avoid immediate imprisonment. His defense argued that he acted in good faith based on legal advice, but the Department of Justice contended that his actions did not warrant delaying his sentence. Bannon's attorneys highlighted a perceived circuit split on the issue of mens rea in contempt of Congress cases, suggesting that the Supreme Court should intervene to address the legal ambiguity. However, Prelogar disputed this argument, stating that Bannon's deliberate defiance of the subpoena did not align with a defense of good faith reliance on counsel. The Supreme Court previously denied a similar emergency request from another former Trump adviser, Peter Navarro, who is currently serving a four-month sentence. As Bannon faces imminent detention, the legal battle over his prison sentence continues to unfold. The Supreme Court's decision on whether to grant his request for a delay will have significant implications for the enforcement of congressional subpoenas and the accountability of individuals involved in high-profile investigations. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story as the court deliberates on Bannon's fate.