The Steve Bannon indictment has delivered a very compelling message to Donald Trump and his MAGA flunkies: the days of ignoring the law and doing Trump’s bidding are done.
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On Friday, the US Justice Department announced that a federal grand jury has rendered an indictment against former Trump adviser Steve Bannon for contempt of Congress. The Steve Bannon indictment was related to his refusal to appear before Congress for a deposition regarding his role in the January 6th Capitol Hill attack, as well as for ignoring a congressional demand to produce documents — which carries a minimum of 30 days and a maximum of 1 year in jail for each charge.
For weeks, Attorney General Merrick Garland had been under extreme political pressure to indict Bannon for his multiple refusals to cooperate with Congress. On Friday, Garland delivered.
“Since my first day in office, I have promised Justice Department employees that together we would show the American people by word and deed that the Department adheres to the rule of law, follows the facts and the law, and pursues equal justice under the law,” the attorney general said in a statement on Friday. “Today’s charges reflect the Department’s steadfast commitment to these principles.”
Congressional Democrats celebrated the indictment and the clear path they will now seemingly have investigating Bannon, Trump, and others regarding January 6th.
“The grand jury was presented with overwhelming and irrefutable evidence of Steve Bannon’s violation of a congressional subpoena,” Democratic Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland who serves on the House select committee said. “The justice system of the United States is not going to tolerate these contemptuous violations of the rule of law,” he added.
Prosecutors presented the Steve Bannon indictment and an arrest warrant to federal Magistrate Judge Robin M. Meriweather on Friday. According to his attorney, Bannon will self-surrender on Monday and appear in court on Monday afternoon.
Throughout Trump’s time in The White House and during each of his impeachment trials, various members of the Donald Trump inner circle were summoned to testify before Congress. Each time, they either refused or ignored the calls knowing that Trump himself (while in The White House) would reward them with impunity for covering for him. However, that was then and this is now. Donald Trump is no longer in The White House and no longer has an ounce of power to protect his pals — which is bad news for just about all of his closest allies.
Now, the January 6th select committee within the House of Representatives will be able to proceed with their investigation into the Donald Trump-led Capitol Hill insurrection. Additionally, barriers to the investigation have now been removed and have opened the door for former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows and others to be compelled to testify.
“Mark Meadows should take note,” Democratic Rep. Pete Aguilar of California said. “We expect answers to lawful subpoenas.”
And so, the message to Donald Trump and his MAGA misfits is clear. “There’s a new sheriff in town” and “You can run, but you can’t hide.” Or, in other words, silence (and continuing to refuse to cooperate with Congress) now comes with consequences.
[The Steve Bannon indictment was related to his refusal to appear before Congress for a deposition regarding his role in the January 6th Capitol Hill attack, as well as for ignoring a congressional demand to produce documents — which carries a minimum of 30 days and a maximum of 1 year in jail for each charge.] – DJ
[And so, the message to Donald Trump and his MAGA misfits is clear. “There’s a new sheriff in town” and “You can run, but you can’t hide.” Or, in other words, silence (and continuing to refuse to cooperate with Congress) now comes with consequences.] – DJ
Well, I certainly hope so. But We shall see.