Steve Bannon, former Chief Strategist and Counselor to Donald Trump, surrendered to the FBI on Monday, just days after being charged with criminal contempt of Congress Friday, ABC News reports.
Bannon was hit with two counts of contempt for failure to comply with a committee subpoena, after refusing to cooperate with an investigation on the Jan. 6 insurrection by the House select committee earlier this year.
“Since my first day in office, I have promised Justice Department employees that together we would show the American people by word and deed that the department adheres to the rule of law, follows the facts and the law and pursues equal justice under the law,” Attorney General Merrick B. Garland said in a statement. “Today’s charges reflect the department’s steadfast commitment to these principles.”
Bannon’s attorney, Robert Costello, initially claimed his client did not cooperate with the committee because he hadn’t been directed to do so by Trump. Per CNN, Bannon turned himself into the FBI Washington field office in a black SUV Monday. He told cameras that he was “taking down the Biden regime.”
His charges carry a minimum of 30 days and a maximum of one year in jail, and his case has been referred to the Trump-appointed District Judge Carl Nichols. He’s expected to be arraigned on Monday.
“I want you guys to stay focused on message,” Bannon told his followers Monday before turning himself in, via his WarRoom show. “Thank you very much.”
