Storm On US Capitol: Steve Bannon Charged With Contempt Of US Congress

Donald Trump's former chief strategist should testify about the storming of the US Capitol and refuses. For his loyalty to the ex-president he is now facing a prison sentence.

Stephen Bannon, former President Donald Trump's chief strategist, has been charged with disregarding the US Congress. The US Department of Justice said Bannon had defied a subpoena from a congressional committee investigating the January 6 attack on the Capitol. 

He is also accused of failing to provide the panel with requested documents. If convicted, Bannon could face a prison sentence of at least 30 days and up to a year per charge.

Trump's longtime ally refuses to cooperate with the House of Representatives special committee. Bannon claims that an "executive privilege" gives him the right to keep the requested material confidential. Bannon did not hold any government office in January, however.

After Bannon refused to cooperate with the investigation, the House of Representatives and a majority of Democrats paved the way for criminal action against him in late October . The decision on a possible charge was then the responsibility of the Justice Department. Minister Merrick Garland has now said that the indictment of a so-called grand jury against Bannon demonstrates that the judiciary upholds the facts and the law, which applies to all people equally.

"Nobody is above the law"

MPs also praised the move: "The prosecution against Steve Bannon should send a clear message to anyone who thinks they can ignore the special committee or try to block our investigation: Nobody is above the law," wrote Democrat Bennie Thompson and the Republican Liz Cheney, the chair of the committee, in a statement.

Supporters of Republican Trump stormed the seat of the US Congress on January 6th. Five people were killed, including a police officer. Bannon is suspected of having prior knowledge of plans for violent protests. The day before he said in his podcast, among other things: "Tomorrow all hell breaks loose."

Bannon isn't the only Republican to refuse to cooperate with the Enlightenment Committee. Trump's former chief of staff Mark Meadows also failed to appear before the panel despite a summons on Friday. The committee was therefore forced to take action against Meadows in order to consider criminal consequences, said the two chairmen of the committee. More than 150 witnesses have already cooperated with the committee.

Justice Department spokesman Bill Miller said Steve Bannon is expected to face himself in Washington on Monday and appear in court for the first time that afternoon.