Bannon Launches Last-Ditch Effort to Avoid Contempt Trial
- Former Trump adviser says his rights are being violated
- Bannon sought Pelosi, other members of congress, as witnesses
A video of Steve Bannon played on a screen during a hearing of the Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the US Capitol in Washington, D.C., on July 12.
Photographer: Sarah Silbiger/Reuters/Bloomberg
Longtime Donald Trump adviser Steve Bannon filed a last-ditch attempt to avoid a trial on contempt of Congress charges, arguing that his inability to cross-examine senior House members prevents him from having a fair trial.
US District Judge Carl J. Nichols on July 11 quashed Bannon’s attempt to subpoena Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other House members, ruling the “speech and debate” clause of the US Constitution prohibits questioning of members of Congress in court. The judge also rejected Bannon’s request to delay the trial, which is scheduled to start July 18.