Appeals court upholds Steve Bannon's contempt of Congress conviction
CBSMay 01
Former Trump Aide Steve Bannon Ordered to Prison
Above: Steve Bannon departs the E. Barrett Prettyman U.S. Courthouse on June 6. Image copyright: Kent Nishimura/Stringer/Getty Images News via Getty Images
The Facts
Steve Bannon, ex-aide to former Pres. Donald Trump, Thursday was ordered to report to prison by July 1 to serve his four-month sentence for refusing to comply with a Congressional subpoena.
Bannon, who was convicted of refusing to testify about the Jan. 6, 2021 riots at the US Capitol, in October 2022 was fined $6.5K and sentenced to prison. He lost his appeal last month.
The Spin
Left narrative
Bannon has taken advantage of the court graciously allowing him to delay his inevitable and deserved prison sentence for years by turning his free time into a pro-MAGA campaign publicity stunt. At least for the next four months, Bannon will be held accountable for breaking the law and won't be able to manipulate any elections.
Right narrative
What has happened to Bannon used to be limited to third-world, authoritarian regimes. Pres. Joe Biden is targeting yet another influential member of the Trump movement while he attempts to remain in power. Nothing about this case involves the rule of law — it's about punishing anyone who supports Biden's opponent.