Steve Bannon: former Donald Trump strategist indicted on contempt charges over defying Capitol riots subpoena

Steve Bannon, an ally of former president Donald Trump, has been indicted on two counts of contempt of Congress.

It comes after he defied a congressional subpoena from the House Select Committee investigating the invasion at the US Capitol.

A subpoena is a request for the production of documents, or a request to appear in court or other legal proceeding.

Bannon was summoned to testify on his knowledge about plans for the march that ended with the storming of Congress this year, on January 6.

Amid violent clashes with police, protesters breached barricades and were able to enter the building on Capitol Hill, disrupting politicians’ formal approval of Joe Biden’s election win.

Republican Donald Trump refused to acknowledge losing the election to Democrat party.

Bannon - who currently hosts the right-wing War Room podcast - became chairman of Trump’s 2016 election campaign and then his White House chief strategist which lasted less than a year.

The Justice Department said Bannon, 67, has been indicted on two counts - the first for refusing to appear for a deposition.

The other count includes refusing to provide documents in response to the committee’s subpoena. It was not immediately clear when he would be due in court.

Trump has urged his former aides to reject all requests to submit to depositions because of executive privilege, according to the BBC.

‘Steadfast commitment’

In a statement released on Friday, Attorney General Merrick Garland said the indictment reflects the Justice Department’s “steadfast commitment” to ensuring that the department adheres to the rule of law.

Each count carries a minimum of 30 days of jail and a sentence of up to a year behind bars.

Bannon’s attorney did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment.

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