Justice Department Charges Steve Bannon With Criminal Contempt Of Congress

Steve Bannon, who was a political adviser to former President Donald Trump, has been charged with contempt of Congress for defying a subpoena from the legislative committee investigating the Capitol siege on Jan. 6.

Bannon was charged Friday with one count for failing to appear for a deposition and another for refusing to hand over documents.

Bannon now faces fines and as much as a year of jail time for each count.

The DOJ’s move follows weeks of deliberation by prosecutors in the U.S. Attorney’s office in the District of Columbia, who will oversee the criminal case.

“Since my first day in office, I have promised Justice Department employees that together we would show the American people by word and deed that the department adheres to the rule of law, follows the facts and the law and pursues equal justice under the law,” Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement. “Today’s charges reflect the department’s steadfast commitment to these principles.”