Bannon Heads to Prison, Says He’s “Proud” to Serve His Time

Former White House strategist Steve Bannon reported to a federal prison in Connecticut on Monday, July 17, 2023, to begin serving a four-month sentence for contempt of Congress.

Bannon was found guilty in July 2022 of defying a subpoena from the House select committee investigating the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. The committee sought information from Bannon about his role in the events leading up to the insurrection.

In a statement released before his surrender, Bannon said he was “proud” to serve his time and that he was “not backing down” from his fight against the committee.

“This is not about me,” Bannon said. “This is about the American people and their right to know the truth.”

Bannon’s sentence was the first of its kind in decades for defying a congressional subpoena. The case sent a clear message that the legislative branch can hold individuals accountable for obstructing its investigations.

Here are some key facts about Bannon’s case:

• Bannon was indicted in November 2021 on two counts of contempt of Congress.

• He was found guilty by a jury in July 2022.

• Bannon was sentenced to four months in prison and fined $6,500.

• He appealed his conviction but lost.

• Bannon is currently serving his sentence at the Federal Correctional Institution, Danbury, a minimum-security prison in Connecticut.

Bannon’s case is a reminder that the legislative branch has the power to hold individuals accountable for obstructing its investigations. It remains to be seen what impact this case will have on future investigations into the January 6th attack and other matters.

Further reading:

• (https://www.cnn.com/2023/07/17/politics/steve-bannon-prison-contempt-sentence/index.html)

• (https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/17/us/politics/steve-bannon-prison-contempt.html)

• (https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2023/07/17/steve-bannon-prison-sentence-contempt-congress/)