Trump ally Steve Bannon appeals conviction in Jan. 6 committee contempt case

WASHINGTON — Former President Donald Trump’s longtime ally Steve Bannon on Thursday appealed his felony conviction for defying a subpoena from the House committee investigating the Jan. 6 rise up on the U.S. Capitol.

Bannon’s lawyer argued he didn’t forget about the subpoena, however used to be seeking to keep away from working afoul of govt privilege objections Trump had raised.

“Mr. Bannon acted in the only way he understood from his lawyer that he was permitted to behave,” lawyer David Schoen stated, including that Bannon used to be wrongly blocked from making that argument at trial.

Prosecutors, although, stated Bannon used to be not running on the White House throughout the runup to Jan. 6 and refused to paintings with the committee to resolve if there have been questions he may resolution. “Stephen Bannon deliberately chose not so comply in any way with lawful congressional subpoena,” stated prosecutor Elizabeth Danello.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit took the case into consideration.

Bannon, 69, used to be convicted ultimate July of 2 counts of contempt of Congress and later sentenced that August to 4 months in jail. U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols put the sentence used to be on dangle as his enchantment performed out, later pronouncing in courtroom paperwork he anticipated the case to be overturned.

A 2nd Trump aide, business marketing consultant Peter Navarro, used to be additionally convicted of contempt of Congress this previous September and has additionally vowed to enchantment. The House panel had sought their testimony about Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election.

The House Jan. 6 committee completed its paintings in January, after a last document that stated Trump criminally engaged in a “multi-part conspiracy” to overturn the lawful result of the 2020 election and didn’t act to prevent a mob of his supporters from attacking the Capitol.

Bannon could also be set to move on trial subsequent May on separate cash laundering, fraud and conspiracy fees in New York associated with the “We Build the Wall” marketing campaign. He has pleaded now not in charge.

He has pleaded now not in charge to fees alleging he falsely promised folks that each one donations would pass towards development a wall alongside the U.S.-Mexico border. Instead, prosecutors allege that the cash used to be used to complement Bannon and others concerned in the mission.