Bannon Seeks Delay in Prison Sentence

Former White House strategist Steve Bannon, who was previously convicted of contempt of Congress, has filed an urgent request to the federal appeals court in Washington D.C. seeking to postpone his prison reporting date of July 1. This request comes shortly after he was directed to report to jail for defying a subpoena to testify before the House committee investigating the January 6 Capitol riot.

In his filing, Bannon’s legal team emphasized his intention to vigorously pursue his remaining appeals in the contempt of Congress case. They are seeking a ruling on the request by June 18, just days before he is scheduled to begin serving a four-month prison sentence.

If the court grants Bannon’s request, it would further extend his period of freedom following his sentencing in 2022. Bannon’s legal team has indicated that they are prepared to take the case to the Supreme Court if necessary.

This development follows a similar request made by another former Trump adviser, Peter Navarro, earlier this year. Navarro’s request to delay his prison reporting date was denied, and he began serving his four-month sentence in March.

Bannon was sentenced to prison in October 2022 for contempt of Congress after he refused to comply with a subpoena to testify before the House committee investigating the January 6 Capitol riot. In addition to his four-month prison sentence, Bannon was also ordered to pay a fine of $6,500. His attorneys have argued that his sentence can continue to be postponed while he pursues appeals in the D.C. Circuit court or the Supreme Court, despite a previous rejection of a postponement request by an appeals court.