Steve Bannon, a former adviser to former President Donald Trump, on Monday called the charges against him a “misdemeanor from hell,” following a court appearance.
Bannon’s appearance follows an indictment for two related counts for defying a subpoena issued by the House of Representatives, related to the January 6th Committee.
“I’m telling you right now, this is going to be the misdemeanor from hell for Merrick Garland, Nancy Pelosi and Joe Biden,” Bannon told reporters.
Specifically, the committee requested that Bannon produce documents related to the event and testify before the group.
“I’m never going to back down. We’re going to go on offense,” he added.
During his hearing, U.S. Magistrate Robin Meriweather agreed to release Bannon until he faces trial. However, he will be required to submit his passport and abide with a weekly check-in with law enforcement officials. Furthermore, Meriweather set arraignment for Thursday before U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols.
If convicted, Bannon could face a minimum of 30 days and a maximum of one year in jail, in addition to a maximum fine of $100,000.
Critics of the process, including former President Trump, have pointed to a political and polarized process.
“This Country has perhaps never done to anyone what they have done to Steve Bannon and they are looking to do it to others, also,” Trump said in a statement. He added,” If they would be so tough with China, Russia, and the world, who no longer respects us, maybe our Country would not be failing at a level at which we have never seen before.”
Other former Trump administration officials have been hesitant to embrace the process involving members of the January 6th Committee, which is composed of lawmakers appointed by Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
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Cooper Moran is a reporter for The Star News Network. Follow Cooper on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Steve Bannon” by Gage Skidmore CC BY-SA 2.0.
