Steve Bannon May Be Released Early, But His Legal Troubles Are Far From Over
Steve Bannon might be getting out of federal prison a week earlier than expected due to his contempt of Congress charges, but this reprieve will be short-lived. He is scheduled to face a new trial as a criminal defendant in New York this December, related to his involvement in defrauding donors through the fraudulent Build the Wall Foundation scandal.
Let’s take a moment to discuss Steve Bannon. Whether voluntarily or not, he has provided crucial evidence to the special counsel in the prosecution of Donald Trump regarding the election interference case in Washington, D.C. It appears that many of his phone calls and meetings held at the Willard Hotel may have been recorded. These recordings seem to have made their way into the court filings submitted just two weeks ago.
Bannon is nearing the end of a four-month sentence, but he'll be released about a week before the upcoming election. He was convicted for two counts of contempt of Congress after he failed to appear and testify before the January 6th Committee and also did not provide requested documents. A jury in the District of Columbia found him guilty, leading to a sentence from Judge Nichols, and now he’s set to be released a week earlier than anticipated.
Bannon claims this early release is a "complete repudiation" of his actions, suggesting the election will bring a major win for MAGA. He plans to return to his podcast on Tuesday, but this seems like a smokescreen. While he may have served his time for this specific conviction, state prosecutors in Manhattan have other plans. Bannon is facing a potential prison sentence of five to twenty years if convicted in December.
To clarify, many of you might recall that Steve Bannon received a pardon from Donald Trump a few years ago on his last day in office for his involvement in the Build the Wall Foundation scandal, which involved misleading donors out of millions of dollars. The money that was supposed to go towards building the wall instead filled the personal accounts of Bannon and Brian Kolfage, the foundation's founder. Kolfage, a former wounded veteran, is currently serving a 51-month prison sentence for his role in this fraudulent scheme.
Though Bannon was pardoned at the federal level, this does not prevent state prosecutors from pursuing charges that fall outside the scope of presidential pardons. These state charges are "pardon-proof" and will proceed in December.
Judge April Newell has granted Bannon some leniency, pushing the trial to December to accommodate his release from federal prison. The trial is expected to last only about a week, but for Bannon, the stakes are incredibly high. He may soon find that four months in prison will feel like a walk in the park compared to what he could face in New York for money laundering, fraud, and conspiracy charges. If convicted, he could receive a sentence of between five and ten years in a New York State penitentiary, potentially serving time in notorious facilities like Riker’s Island.
Even if Trump were to pull off an electoral miracle and win the presidency in November, this would not affect Bannon’s legal situation.
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Switching gears back to Bannon: while the media may be focused on his early release, he’ll be back in the courtroom soon enough. His upcoming trial in New York may significantly overshadow his brief stint out of prison.
Historically, Bannon has been a key player in the efforts to undermine democracy, particularly during the January 6th insurrection. It’s widely known that he was in the Willard Hotel, aiding in the planning of that attack. Recent evidence suggests that some conversations from those meetings were recorded, potentially jeopardizing Bannon further if those recordings come into play during the trial.
The recent evidence dump from special counsel Jack Smith ties Bannon directly to the election interference conspiracy. If he opts to plead the Fifth, the jury can interpret that however they choose. But with recordings and transcripts possibly at hand, the prosecution may not even need his testimony to build their case.
Donald Trump was recently convicted on 34 felony counts, with sentencing scheduled for November 26 in New York. Following that, Steve Bannon, just released from federal prison, will face his state trial, expected to wrap up in about a week. If convicted, sentencing could occur around February or March.
Remember, these charges are not subject to presidential pardon—only the governor of New York can grant clemency, and given the current political landscape, it’s highly unlikely that Governor Hochul will pardon Bannon.
This overview should equip you with the information needed to discuss Bannon’s situation and the broader context when MAGA supporters celebrate his early release. Keep an eye on the ongoing developments as we anticipate the outcomes of these critical legal battles.The recent evidence dump from special counsel Jack Smith ties Bannon directly to the election interference conspiracy. If he opts to plead the Fifth, the jury can interpret that however they choose. But with recordings and transcripts possibly at hand, the prosecution may not even need his testimony to build their case.
Donald Trump was recently convicted on 34 felony counts, with sentencing scheduled for November 26 in New York. Following that, Steve Bannon, just released from federal prison, will face his state trial, expected to wrap up in about a week. If convicted, sentencing could occur around February or March.
Remember, these charges are not subject to presidential pardon—only the governor of New York can grant clemency, and given the current political landscape, it’s highly unlikely that Governor Hochul will pardon Bannon.
This overview should equip you with the information needed to discuss Bannon’s situation and the broader context when MAGA supporters celebrate his early release. Keep an eye on the ongoing developments as we anticipate the outcomes of these critical legal battles.
