At his criminal contempt trial next month, longtime Trump political strategist Steve Bannon wants to prevent prosecutors from questioning the jury about the January 6, 2021 attack on the US Capitol. Prosecutors are also attempting to prevent Bannon from turning his trial into a “circus atmosphere,” according to a statement released on Friday.
The facts of the attack, including testimony, images, audio, and video that could be used as evidence or arguments, should not be part of the trial, according to Bannon’s defense team, because his case is only a subpoena and compliance with the description is all that matters. The attack could have swayed the jury’s decision against him.
In a House Select Committee inquiry, Steve Bannon was charged with criminal contempt of Congress for neglecting to testify or turn over documents – the first prosecution of its sort stemming from a historic congressional probe. He has pled not guilty to the contempt counts.
Steve Bannon’s Legal Team Asks That Images, Audio, And Videos Not Be Used As Evidence
Steve Bannon’s legal team claimed that evidence (in comparison to his subpoena) of events that occurred eight months earlier – particularly, the attack on the US Capitol on January 6, 2021 – does not show that Mr. Bannon willfully omitted in his response to September 23, 2021, Whether or not, subpoenas. As a result, any evidence or argument relating to those events must be disregarded.
On Friday, the Justice Department gave the judge its set of trial table-setting demands. Prosecutors asked Bannon’s staff to keep quiet about their own politics, the House Select Committee’s legitimacy and political structure, and similarities to others who have been subpoenaed for criminal contempt. He was not prosecuted, but it was claimed that he had been singled out for prosecution or that he had been spared from complying with his subpoena due to executive privilege.
Prosecutors argued on Friday that they suspect Bannon will attempt to set aside the law for jurors, even if they are found guilty, and acquit them for other grounds, a behavior known as jury nullification.
Steve Bannon, one of the right’s most visible showmen, has already made a habit of speaking publicly about his case as he enters and exits court. He called the House committee insulting names minutes before appearing before a federal court this week, saying its public hearings couldn’t compete with the attention his cause deserves. His attempts to get the lawsuit dismissed were rebuffed by the judge.
