Prosecutors Argue That Steve Bannon Felt He Was 'Above the Law' in Ignoring a Federal Subpoena

Mar. 15, 2025

Steve Bannon.Photo: Stefani Reynolds/Bloomberg via Getty Images

The former top aide to PresidentDonald Trumpis currently on trial for ignoring the deadline to answer the subpoena. His attorneys have argued that Bannon, 68, believed the deadlines to sit for questioning were optional, and that charges against him were politically motivated.

Insiderreports that, in the government’s opening argument to jurors, U.S. attorney Amanda Vaughn said the case “is about the defendant thumbing his nose at the orderly processes of our government. It is that simple.”

“It wasn’t optional. It wasn’t a request, and it wasn’t an invitation. It was mandatory,” Vaughn said, per Insider. “The defendant decided he was above the law … and that’s why we’re here today.”

Outlets report that prosecutors called the House committee’s deputy staff director and chief counsel, Kristin Amerling, to the stand following opening arguments to stress the urgency of obtaining Bannon’s testimony prior to midterm elections.

Noting that the committee could be dissolved if Republicans retake the House majority, Amerling said the committee has “a limited amount of time.”

Bannonleft his roleas Trump’s White House strategist in Aug. 2017 but eventually moved back in to the former president’s good graces.

Each count of contempt of Congress carries a minimum of 30 days and a maximum of one year in jail, as well as a fine of $100 to $1,000, the Justice Department said.

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He surrendered to the FBI days later.

Just before being taken into FBI custody, Bannon spoke to reporters, claiming: “We’re taking down the Biden regime,” and adding that his indictment was “all noise.”

source: people.com