Conservative strategist Steve Bannon, who recently spent four months in federal prison for defying a congressional subpoena, made a bold statement outside a New York court on Tuesday. Bannon warned prosecutors in cases involving him and President-elect Donald Trump, stating, 'The hunted are about to become the hunters.' However, he did not provide further details on what this statement entailed.
Bannon is currently facing a state conspiracy trial set to begin on December 9, pending a potential postponement following a recent hearing. The trial is scheduled to take place at the same Manhattan courthouse where former President Trump was convicted in a hush money case. In a separate development, a judge has delayed a key ruling in the hush money case for at least a week as prosecutors assess their next steps in light of Trump's upcoming presidency.
The charges against Bannon relate to allegations of conspiring to deceive donors who contributed funds for a U.S.-Mexico border wall project. He has pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiracy and money laundering. The case was initially part of a federal prosecution that was halted when Trump granted Bannon a pardon in 2021. However, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg and New York Attorney General Letitia James revived the case in state court, where presidential pardons do not apply.
Prosecutors claim that Bannon and others involved with a charity called WeBuildTheWall Inc. misled donors by diverting funds intended for the wall project. Specifically, Bannon is accused of channeling around $140,000 of the nonprofit's money to its president for undisclosed compensation. While Bannon did not personally receive these funds, prosecutors allege that he facilitated the transactions.
During a court session, prosecutors revealed that some of the diverted funds were used to pay Bannon's credit card bills. They seek to present evidence of these transactions during the trial. Bannon's defense attorney argued that the funds were reimbursement for legitimate expenses incurred while supporting the charity's cause.
The defense requested a trial delay to prepare financial and nonprofit experts to counter the prosecution's evidence. The judge scheduled a hearing to decide on the admissibility of this evidence and determine whether to postpone the trial.
Despite his recent legal challenges, Bannon appeared composed during the hearing, following his release from federal prison. He had been convicted of contempt of Congress for failing to cooperate with the investigation into the U.S. Capitol attack on January 6, 2021. Bannon, who has labeled himself a 'political prisoner,' is currently appealing his contempt conviction.
