On Friday, jurors reached a verdict in Steve Bannon’s contempt of Congress charge after fewer than three hours of deliberation. Bannon was found guilty on a charge of “willful failure to provide records.”
Fox News reports:
The verdict is expected to be read soon in the courtroom where U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols is presiding. The jury earlier Friday heard closing arguments from both the prosecution and defense.
The Department of Justice charged Bannon with two counts of contempt of Congress after he ignored a subpoena from the House Jan. 6 committee. Bannon pleaded not guilty.
The Justice Department began closing arguments Friday morning with prosecutor Molly Gaston telling jurors, “This is a man who didn’t show up.”
“He didn’t want to recognize Congress’ authority or play by the government’s rules,” Gaston said. “Our government only works if people show up and play by the rules and are held accountable when they do not.”
The reactions streamed in quickly afterward on social media:
🚨 BREAKING: Steve Bannon found guilty of contempt of Congress.
Theater of the dangerously absurd.
— Monica Crowley (@MonicaCrowley) July 22, 2022
Steve Bannon was just found guilty for contempt of Congress.
The government has gone rogue.
— Brigitte Gabriel (@ACTBrigitte) July 22, 2022
Equal justice doesn't exist in DC. Democrats who commit actual crimes get let off scot free by DC juries while Steve Bannon gets convicted for a bs contempt charge from an illegitimate congressional committee.
— Greg Price (@greg_price11) July 22, 2022
Steve Bannon did nothing wrong
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) July 22, 2022
