Steve Bannon’s Friday afternoon indictment by a grand jury is being heralded by legal experts. The former Trump advisor faces two counts of criminal contempt of Congress for refusing to testify before the Select Committee on the January 6 Attack and for refusing to hand over documents to House investigators.
“Good news for the rule of law, and the institution of Congress,” NYU Law professor Ryan Goodman, a former Defense Dept. Special Counsel tweeted.
This is the first time in nearly four decades anyone has been indicted for criminal contempt of Congress. Bannon faces up to two years in jail should a jury convict him.
“This is the rule of law striking back,” U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) said on MSNBC in response to the news. “Mark Meadows: Call your office.”
Tristan Snell, who successfully prosecuted the State of New York’s case against Trump University, warns Bannon is a flight risk:
He adds:
Top national security lawyer Bradley Moss had a three-pronged response to the news.
First, he scolded those who complained Attorney General Merrick Garland and DOJ were not moving fast enough: “What did I say? I said give Garland time. I said stop whining like little children. All of you can get on your knees and apologize now for weeks of incessant juvenile antics.”
Then he also took a swipe at Bannon and other Trump acolytes: “Who else wants to go to jail for Donald Trump?”
And finally, he mocked Bannon’s infamous wardrobe, asking if the Federal Bureau of Prisons will issue “five layered clothing.”
Vox senior correspondent Ian Millhiser, author of books on the Supreme Court:
LA Times Legal Affairs Columnist Harry Litman, a former U.S. Attorney: