D.C., October 21 (Reuters) - Steve Bannon, a former strategist to former President Donald Trump, was given a four-month jail sentence by a court on Friday for his refusal to assist legislators looking into the attack on the U.S. Capitol last year.
Bannon was found guilty of two charges of contempt of Congress in July after refusing to give information or evidence to the House of Representatives committee looking into the attack on January 6, 2021. While Bannon's legal representatives requested probation, prosecutors had asked for a six-month term.
A $6,500 punishment was also imposed on Bannon, a crucial member of Republican Donald Trump's 2016 campaign, by U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols. While Bannon challenged his conviction, the judge permitted him to postpone serving his term.
At the Friday hearing, prosecutor J.P. Cooney stated that Bannon chose to "snub Congress with his nose. He is not above the law, which is why this case is significant "Cooney declared.
Prior to a later reconciliation, Bannon, 68, worked as Trump's chief White House strategist in 2017.
Firebrand Brannon contributed to the right-wing populism known as "America First" and the vehement anti-immigration sentiment that helped define Trump's administration. Bannon has been a key player in right-wing media and has supported right-wing causes and politicians both domestically and internationally.
In an unsuccessful attempt to prevent congressional certification of his loss to Democrat Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential election, a pro-Trump mob stormed the Capitol and attacked police with batons, sledgehammers, flag poles, Taser devices, chemical irritants, metal pipes, rocks, metal guard rails, and other weapons.
Bannon declined to address the court before Friday's sentence.
He spoke vehemently outside the courthouse while demonstrators occasionally tried to muffle him with cries of "Traitor!"
According to Bannon, it was the judge's day of judgment. But on November 8, they will pass judgment on the fraudulent Biden administration and, very honestly, Nancy Pelosi and the entire committee.
Bannon must submit his appeal within two weeks, which his attorneys stated they will do. He must turn himself in on November 15 if he does not submit it by the deadline.
The Jan. 6 committee claims that Bannon spoke with Trump at least twice the day before the attack, went to a planning session at a hotel in Washington, and predicted "all hell is going to break out tomorrow" on his right-wing podcast.
Only two witnesses were summoned by the prosecution and none by Bannon's defense team throughout his trial. Bannon decided against testifying. Attorneys for Bannon have stated that they would challenge his conviction.
Bannon's case was hindered by Nichols' decisions that prevented him from using executive privilege claims or saying that he relied on legal counsel.
Leaders of the committee have hailed Bannon's conviction as a triumph for the rule of law. They went on the wrong person his time, Bannon had said, attacking Biden and Attorney General Merrick Garland while attempting to paint the criminal accusations as politically motivated.
Numerous individuals associated with Trump have been asked to testify by the Democratic-led committee. In addition to Bannon, prosecutors have set a trial date of November 17 for former Trump White House advisor Peter Navarro, who they accuse of disobeying a subpoena from the same committee. Navarro entered a not-guilty plea.
Bannon's lawyer, David Schoen, claimed during the hearing on Friday that Bannon followed the counsel of his attorneys in declining to appear before Congress in response to a congressional subpoena after Trump claimed executive privilege, a legal theory that shields some White House communications from disclosure.
Saying, "Screw you Congress, take your subpoena and shove it!" would have been a more extreme act of disobedience to the legislature. stated Schoen.
In his ruling, Nichols stated that even if Bannon's legal counsel was "misguided," he still deserves some credit for doing so.
Nichols said that Bannon "had not presented a single document" or given any testimony to Congress at the same time.
Flaunting congressional subpoenas "betrays a lack of respect," Nichols said, adding that "the January 6 Committee has every cause to examine what transpired that day."
Even though Bannon was sentenced on Friday, his legal issues continue. He was charged with money laundering and conspiracy in New York state in September, and prosecutors claim that he defrauded donors who gave money to support the construction of Trump's promised wall along the border with Mexico.
If found guilty on these counts, Bannon, who entered a not-guilty plea, could spend up to 15 years in jail.