A federal appeals court has rejected Steve Bannon's attempt to postpone the start of his criminal contempt-of-Congress prison term, which is set to begin on July 1. The US DC Circuit Court of Appeals made the decision, indicating that Bannon may now turn to the Supreme Court for possible intervention.
Judge Justin Walker, appointed by former President Donald Trump, dissented from the panel's ruling, suggesting that the legal precedent being contested by Bannon is a complex issue. Walker argued that Bannon should be allowed to remain out of prison while he pursues an appeal to the Supreme Court.
Bannon was found guilty of contempt by a jury almost two years ago for failing to comply with a House January 6 Committee subpoena demanding his testimony. Initially, his four-month prison sentence was put on hold by his trial judge to allow for the appeal process.
However, earlier this month, US District Judge Carl Nichols lifted the stay on Bannon's sentence at the request of the Justice Department. The decision was based on a recent ruling by the DC Circuit that upheld Bannon's conviction.
In recent public appearances, Bannon has intensified his criticism of the Justice Department, warning at a conservative event in Detroit that there would be a 'purge' of the department and the FBI if Trump were to win the election.
Unless the Supreme Court intervenes, Bannon is expected to serve his sentence at a low-security prison camp in Danbury, Connecticut. Due to facing separate New York state criminal charges related to an alleged fraudulent fundraising scheme called 'Build the Wall,' he will not be sent to the minimal-security prison camps often referred to as 'Club Fed.'
