Steve Bannon released from prison after serving sentence for contempt of Congress

article

FILE – Former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon arrives for a news conference outside the federal correctional facility July 1, 2024, in Danbury, Connecticut. (Photo by YUKI IWAMURA/AFP via Getty Images)

DANBURY, CT. – Steve Bannon, former White House aide and longtime Donald Trump ally, was released from prison early Tuesday after serving a four-month sentence for ignoring a subpoena in Congress’ investigation into the case. Riot at the US Capitol January 6, 2021.

Exactly one week before Election DayBannon left the federal correctional facility in Danbury, Connecticut, according to Christy Breshears, a spokeswoman for the Federal Bureau of Prisons.

Bannon planned to hold a news conference later in the day in Manhattan and was also expected to resume his “War Room” podcast on Tuesday, his spokesman said.

Bannon, 70, reported to prison July 1 after the Supreme Court denied his request to delay his sentence while he appeals his conviction.

He previously served as chief executive officer of Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign and was the chief White House strategist during the Republican president’s first few months in office.

Trump is seeking to reclaim the presidency in next week’s election against a Democratic vice president. Kamala Harris.

Why was Steve Bannon convicted?

Steve Bannon, a longtime Trump ally, was found guilty of contempt of court.

Steve Bannon, 68, faces up to two years in federal prison when he is sentenced on October 21. Each count carries a minimum penalty of 30 days in jail.

In 2022, a jury found Bannon guilty of two counts of contempt of Congress.

The first is for refusing to testify before a House committee on January 6, and the second is for refusing to provide documents related to his participation in Trump’s attempts to overturn his loss before the US Congress. Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential race.

When Bannon began serving his sentence in July, he called himself a “political prisoner.”

“I’m proud to go to prison,” he said at the time, adding that he was standing up to Attorney General Merrick Garland and the “corrupt” Justice Department.

In May, a federal appeals court panel upheld Bannon’s conviction. Bannon is now asking the full appeals court to hear his case. His legal team argued that the congressional subpoena was invalid because Trump asserted executive privilege.

But prosecutors say Bannon left the White House years ago and Trump never invoked executive privilege before the committee.

Bannon also faces criminal charges in New York state court, alleging he defrauded donors who gave money to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. Bannon has pleaded not guilty to money laundering, conspiracy, fraud and other charges.

The trial in this case will begin in December.