Steve Bannon Reports to Federal Prison for Defying Jan. 6 Subcommittee Subpoena

Former Trump adviser Steve Bannon reported to prison to begin serving a four-month sentence for contempt of Congress after refusing to comply with a subpoena from a committee investigating the January 6 Capitol riot. Bannon, a close ally of former President Donald Trump, held a rally before surrendering, where he declared his defiance and rallied supporters, claiming the legal proceedings were politically motivated to hinder Trump's re-election bid. Bannon, a key figure in right-wing American politics and a former senior advisor to Trump, was convicted for defying a subpoena related to the congressional investigation into the Capitol attack. He arrived at a federal prison in Connecticut, expressing pride in his actions and vowing to stand up against President Joe Biden. Supporters, including pro-Trump lawmaker Marjorie Taylor Greene, gathered outside the prison, waving "Trump 2024" flags. The 70-year-old Bannon, known for his role in Trump's 2016 campaign, had been appealing his conviction since October 2022. However, a federal appeals court upheld the conviction in May, leading to his imprisonment. Bannon's legal troubles also include charges of wire fraud and money laundering, though he was pardoned by Trump before leaving office. He served as chief strategist in the White House for the initial months of Trump's presidency. Bannon's refusal to comply with the subpoena led to his conviction and subsequent imprisonment, with the court rejecting his arguments regarding executive privilege. The House committee investigating the Capitol riot sought Bannon's testimony due to his prior statements hinting at Trump's intentions regarding the election outcome. Bannon is expected to be released on July 17, maintaining his stance against what he perceives as political persecution.