Appeals Court Dismisses Steve Bannon’s Bid To Delay Prison Sentence

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A federal appeals court panel refused to delay former White House strategist Steve Bannon’s prison sentence for contempt of Congress, ordering him to start serving his four-month term by July 1.

The decision comes as Bannon continues to fight his conviction for defying a subpoena from the House committee investigating the January 6 Capitol riot.

In a 2-1 vote, the D.C. Circuit Court panel ruled against Bannon’s request to remain free while appealing to the Supreme Court. Judges Cornelia Pillard and Bradley Garcia, appointed by former President Barack Obama and President Joe Biden respectively, upheld the decision, while Trump-nominated Judge Justin Walker dissented, arguing Bannon should not serve time before the Supreme Court’s decision.

Bannon’s legal team argues that his imprisonment would impede his role as a top adviser to Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign. Prosecutors, however, dismissed this and said Bannon’s “role in political discourse” is irrelevant to the case and stressed the principle of “equal justice under the law.”

Convicted nearly two years ago, Bannon faced charges for refusing to comply with the House committee’s demands for documents regarding efforts to overturn Trump’s 2020 election loss. His defense claimed he was negotiating in good faith and relied on his attorney’s advice.

Bannon is expected to seek Supreme Court intervention, although his prison sentence may be completed before the case is heard.