Steve Bannon's request to delay contempt trial denied by US judge

Former adviser to Donald Trump faces contempt charges for defying congressional subpoena

Steve Bannon, former adviser to Donald Trump, speaks while leaving the federal court in Washington. Bloomberg

Lawyers for Steve Bannon, former presidential adviser to Donald Trump, were unsuccessful in their efforts to delay his contempt trial by a month.

US District Judge Carl Nichols quickly denied that motion from Mr Bannon's lawyers, but indicated that he might grant a one-day delay later in the trial.

The court was expected to finalise its jury selection and begin opening arguments on Tuesday, but was delayed by the request.

Mr Bannon is facing federal charges of contempt for defying a congressional subpoena to appear before the House of Representatives' January 6 investigation committee.

Tuesday's morning session involved debates over how much of Mr Bannon's discussions with the committee could be introduced as evidence.

Mr Bannon was indicted on two counts of criminal contempt of Congress in November for defying a subpoena that would have made him provide records and testimony to the committee.

Each count carries a minimum of 30 days prison, or as long as a year. A conviction would not compel him to provide evidence to the committee.

Mr Bannon said at the time that executive privilege prevented him from testifying during the committee's investigation.

But the panel has said the privilege does not apply to him, as he was not a White House staff member on the days leading up to the attack on the Capitol.

Quotes from January 6 committee hearings — in pictures

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  'There will come a day when Donald Trump is gone, but your dishonour will remain.' Congresswoman and January 6 committee vice chairwoman Liz Cheney to Republican colleagues who have defended Mr Trump's claims of election fraud. AFP

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  'January 6 was the culmination of an attempted coup - a brazen attempt, as one rioter put it shortly after January 6 - to overthrow the government.' Committee chairman Bennie Thompson. EPA

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  Mr Trump 'was willing to sacrifice our republic to prolong his presidency. I can imagine no more dishonourable acts by a president.' Republican Congressman Adam Kinzinger. AFP

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  Donald Trump had this 'arsenal of allegations. I went through them piece by piece to say, no, they were not true'. Former acting deputy attorney general Richard Donoghue. EPA

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  'There were no votes to find.' Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger after Donald Trump asked him and his deputy, Gabriel Sterling, to 'find 11,780' votes that could flip Georgia in the president's favour. AFP

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  Competing against Donald Trump’s lies was like a 'shovel trying to empty the ocean'. Gabriel Sterling, Georgia Secretary of State chief operating officer. AFP

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  'As an American, I was disgusted. It was unpatriotic, it was un-American. We were watching the Capitol building get defaced over a lie.' Cassidy Hutchinson, an aide to then White House chief of staff Mark Meadows, speaking about the insurrection. AFP

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  'I told him [Donald Trump] that the stuff his people were shovelling out to the public was bull***t.' Former attorney general William Barr. AP

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  'I respect attorney general Barr. So, I accepted what he was saying.' Ivanka Trump, former White House senior adviser. AP

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  'We fight like hell. And if you don't fight like hell, you're not going to have a country any more.' Donald Trump on January 6, 2021. Reuters

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  A Confederate battle flag that reads 'Come and Take It' and shows a military-style rifle flies as rioters storm the Capitol on January 6, 2001. Reuters

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  A Trump supporter sprays smoke. Reuters

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  Police attempt to push the mob back. AFP

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  The pro-Trump mob swarms the Capitol as police release tear gas. Reuters

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  Protesters clash with police. Reuters

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  Pro-Trump protesters storm into the US Capitol. Reuters

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  A police flash-bang blast lights up the Capitol. Reuters

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  Before the insurrection, Mr Trump is seen on a screen speaking to supporters during a rally to contest the certification of the 2020 US presidential election results. Reuters

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  People march with those who say they are members of the Proud Boys as they attend a rally in Washington in support of former president Donald Trump. AP

Mr Nichols ruled that Mr Bannon could not use executive privilege as a defence in his case.

He had previously ruled that elements of Mr Bannon's defence were irrelevant and could not be introduced in court.

David Schoen, a lawyer for Mr Bannon, told the judge that his client believed he was in a continuing negotiations with the January 6 committee and that he “believed the dates were malleable” as talks continued.

“Mr Bannon believed, right or wrong, that the date had been extended,” Mr Schoen said.

Lawyers for the government are expected to say his failure to appear before the committee was a matter of defiance and disrespect.

“On its face the subpoena demands compliance,” said assistant US attorney Amanda Vaughn.

Ms Vaughn said the government would prove “the defendant’s attempts to wilfully defy the subpoena".

AP contributed to this report