Steve Bannon trial: Live coverage and latest updates, July 20
Steve Bannon trial: Live coverage and latest updates, July 20 The Washington Post
Prosecutors wrapped up their case against Stephen K. Bannon after calling two witnesses on Wednesday, including a Jan. 6 committee staffer who told jurors that the panel warned Bannon of possible criminal charges after his attorney first indicated that he would not comply with a congressional subpoena.
Committee general counsel Kristin Amerling took the stand again on the first full day of testimony after a rocky start to the proceeding. Bannon’s attorneys had sought a delay to his trial on charges of contempt of Congress on Tuesday over questions about what evidence was allowed, but U.S. District Judge Carl J. Nichols ordered that the trial proceed, and opening statements were given that afternoon.
The judge warned the defense on Wednesday that he would intervene during the questioning of witnesses to keep them from turning the trial into a “political circus.”
Federal prosecutors raised concerns that Bannon’s defense seems built around the claim that the subpoena issued by the House select committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol was “illegitimate” because it was motivated by politics.
In addition to testimony from Amerling, jurors heard from an FBI agent who investigated the case. The jury also learned details about Bannon’s offer just days before his trial to cooperate with the committee.
Bannon, a former political strategist for Donald Trump, was indicted on two misdemeanor contempt charges and accused of refusing to comply with an order from the House committee to turn over records and testify about his actions ahead of the attack.
Bannon’s attorneys have argued that their client did not “ignore” the committee’s formal request but was in negotiations with the panel.
Bannon’s trial, which continues Thursday, is underway as the committee continues to hold high-stakes televised hearings that are examining the events that led to the insurrection.
Outside court, Bannon questions Jan. 6 committee chairman Thompson’s covid case
Outside the courthouse, former Trump strategist Steve Bannon made what has become his daily appearance before reporters.
He taunted Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-Miss.) asserting it was a “billion to one” coincidence that the chairman of the Jan. 6 committee announced Tuesday that he had tested positive for the coronavirus, the same day that Bannon’s trial started.
“Does he really have covid? Has anybody checked? Or is he just saying he has covid?” asked Bannon, whose defense tried unsuccessfully to call Thompson as a witness, in place of the committee’s general counsel.
“Why is Bennie Thompson not here defending his committee? It’s a show trial, the Moscow show trial of the 1930s,” Bannon said.
