Steve Bannon Released From Prison After Serving 4 Months for Contempt of Congress

Steve Bannon, a former top White House adviser in the Trump administration, was released from prison on Oct. 29 after serving a four-month sentence for contempt of Congress. Bannon, 70, expressed that his time in federal prison only strengthened his resolve and focus during his “WarRoom” podcast. He stated, “I am more energized and more focused than I’ve ever been in my entire life.”

During his incarceration at the Federal Correctional Institution in Danbury, Connecticut, Bannon’s request for early release was denied by a federal judge on Oct. 22. This denial followed the Supreme Court’s refusal to consider his appeal to avoid serving his four-month sentence.

Bannon, who referred to himself as a “political prisoner” when he began serving his sentence in July, expressed pride in going to prison. He cited his defiance of Attorney General Merrick Garland and what he deemed a “corrupt” Justice Department.

In 2022, Bannon was convicted on two counts of contempt of Congress for his refusal to comply with requests from the House select committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol breach.

Addressing claims of executive privilege over his testimony, Bannon’s attorney argued in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit that Bannon believed he was acting within the law according to legal advice he received regarding Trump’s invocation of privilege.

The appeals court rejected Bannon’s defense and upheld his convictions, emphasizing that such a defense would undermine Congress’s investigatory powers.

Bannon still faces criminal charges in New York related to his involvement in a border fundraising case. The trial is set to begin on Dec. 9, with prosecutors alleging that Bannon illegally funneled funds to a co-founder of a nonprofit organization.

Despite pleading not guilty to charges of money laundering and conspiracy, Bannon was previously pardoned by Trump in a similar federal case in 2021.

Notably, Bannon’s prison release coincided with another former Trump administration official, Peter Navarro, exiting prison after a similar contempt of Congress charge. Navarro’s claim of executive privilege was not substantiated in court.

While Trump faces potential legal repercussions for his involvement in the Jan. 6 events, he has managed to avoid trial in Washington, citing presidential immunity. This legal battle has resulted in a delay in the prosecution process.

This report includes contributions from The Associated Press.

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