Steve Bannon
(Picture: AP)Steve Bannon has been charged with contempt of Congress for defying a subpoena from the house group investigating the Capitol violence on January 6.
The former political adviser to Donald Trump is charged with one count for failing to appear for a deposition and another for defying an order to hand over documents.
He faces fines and up to a year in jail for each count.
Prosecutors in the US Attorney’s office in the District of Columbia, will oversee the criminal case.
Sign up to our new free Indy100 weekly newsletter
Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement: “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.
“Today’s charges reflect the department’s steadfast commitment to these principles.”
Bannon argued he was covered under an assertion of executive privilege by Trump - but as a private citizen who had not worked inside the White House for years, that appears to hold little water with the DOJ.
Bannon not only declined to share documents, he also refused to show up for testimony with the committee.
