Steve Bannon refused to respond to a subpoena requiring him to provide documents and testimony relating to the storming of the Capitol on January 6
(Picture: AP)The US House of Representatives has voted to hold Donald Trump’s former aide Steve Bannon in contempt of Congress, opening him up to potential prosecution.
It came after Mr Bannon refused to respond to a subpoena requiring him to provide documents and testimony relating to the storming of the Capitol on January 6.
The Democratic-led chamber voted 229 to 202, with nine Republicans joining Democrats to recommend the charges against Bannon, one of the architects of Trump’s 2016 Presidential campaign. He was dismissed from The White House in 2017.
US Attorney General Merrick Garland will make the final decision on whether to prosecute. He has not yet indicated how the Department will respond but said on Thursday that he would “apply the facts and the law” and make decisions “consistent with the principles of prosecution”.
“What sort of precedent would it set for the House of Representatives if we allow a witness to ignore us flat out without facing any consequences?” Democrat Bennie Thompson said in debate before the vote.
It follows a unanimous vote from the Congressional Committee investigating the Capitol insurrection in favour of criminal contempt charges against Mr Bannon.
Contempt of congress carries a penalty of up to one year in prison and a $100,000 (£72,400) fine. Lawmakers hope that the possible prosecution of Mr Bannon will encourage the 18 other Trump aides who have been subpoenaed by the Committee to cooperate.
More than 670 people have been charged in connection with the Capitol insurrection, the worst attack on the US government building since the War of 1812.
Four people died on the day of the riot and hundreds of police officers were injured as demonstrators stormed the building.
The Committee argue that Mr Bannon had made statements suggesting he knew about “extreme events” set to occur on January 6. During a podcast the day before the insurrection, he warned that “all hell is going to break loose tomorrow”.
Republican Liz Cheney, who is vice chair of the Select Committee, said during the debate: “Mr Bannon’s own public statements make clear: he knew what was going to happen before it did ... The American people deserve to know what he knew, and what he did.”
