Attorneys for Steve Bannon took their case before a federal appeals court on Thursday in an attempt to overturn the former Trump adviser’s four-month prison sentence. According to attorney David Schoen, “This case is as clear as day that the conviction has to be overturned.” He emphasized that Bannon had acted based on the advice of his lawyer and President Donald Trump’s invocation of executive privilege.
The federal courthouse in Washington, D.C. was the setting for the legal proceedings, with notable individuals from special counsel Jack Smith’s office in attendance. Bannon’s attorney, David Schoen, asserted his anticipation for a favorable ruling from the panel, with further options to appeal to the full D.C. Circuit and then the Supreme Court if necessary.
Bannon was charged with contempt of Congress for defying subpoenas from the Jan. 6 committee and was convicted on two counts after a jury trial in July of last year. Bannon’s podcast, “Bannon’s War Room,” has been amidst the controversies, with claims that executive privilege was not permitted in his trial.
Following Bannon’s sentencing, the defense argued that Bannon had followed legal advice when he declined to respond to the committee’s subpoenas. Schoen further explained that, “The lower court erred by prohibiting Mr. Bannon from putting his defenses before the jury in this case.” Critics have argued that Bannon’s executive privilege claim was invalid as he was no longer working in the White House, however, Schoen has refuted this assertion.
Bannon served in the White House for the first seven months of Trump’s presidency. The House Jan. 6 committee disbanded at the beginning of this year without receiving information from Bannon. For additional details, you can access the full article on NBCNews.com.
