Bannon Subpoenas Pelosi And Jan. 6 Panel In Attempt To Hit Back At Contempt Charges

WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 15: Former Trump Administration White House advisor Steve Bannon listens as attorney David Schoen speaks to reporters outside of the E. Barrett Prettyman Federal District Court House on Nove... WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 15: Former Trump Administration White House advisor Steve Bannon listens as attorney David Schoen speaks to reporters outside of the E. Barrett Prettyman Federal District Court House on November 15, 2021 in Washington, DC. Bannon is charged with two counts of contempt due to his refusal to appear for a deposition and for his refusal to produce documents, despite a subpoena from the House Select Committee to Investigate the January 6 Attack on the U.S. Capitol. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) MORE LESS
Start your day with TPM.
Sign up for the Morning Memo newsletter

Former Trump White House chief strategist Steve Bannon has reportedly subpoenaed House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and members of the committee in an attempt to push back at the contempt charges he faces, according to CNN. Bannon is scheduled to go on trial next month in the contempt charges the Justice Department brought against him last year for failing to cooperate with the Jan. 6 Select Committee’s investigation.

Late last year, Bannon was charged with two counts of contempt of Congress follow his refusal to comply with the committee’s subpoena. Bannon pleaded not guilty.

In an effort to fight the contempt charges he’s facing, Bannon’s legal team reportedly subpoenaed 15 lawmakers and congressional staffers to testify at his trial next month, one of Bannon’s attorneys and copies of the subpoenas obtained by CNN indicated. The subpoenas reportedly target all nine members of the committee, three committee staffers and House general counsel Douglas Letter. Additionally, Bannon reportedly subpoenaed Pelosi and other House Democratic leaders such as Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) and Whip Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-SC).

CNN noted there are challenges to compel members of Congress to testify, citing protection of their legislative activity under the Constitution’s Speech and Debate Clause. Therefore, lawmakers and staffers subpoenaed by Bannon’s legal team could possibly file a motion to reject those subpoenas.

Bannon’s legal team are reportedly seeking to challenge the legitimacy of the committee and the panel’s motives for targeting Bannon. Like other Trump allies in Congress and the former president’s administration who have defied the committee’s subpoenas, Bannon has claimed executive privilege in refusing to comply.

The subpoenas by Bannon’s attorneys also request documents related to the establishment of the committee, the decision to refer Bannon for criminal contempt, and communications between the panel and one of Bannon’s lawyers. Additionally, Bannon’s legal team specifically requested documents related to recently published books by committee members Reps. Adam Schiff (D-CA) and Jamie Raskin (D-MD).

Bannon’s reported subpoenas to the committee and Democratic leadership come amid other prominent Trump allies’ refusal to comply with the panel’s subpoenas. Last week, former Trump White House trade adviser was charged with two counts of contempt of Congress relating to his refusal to testify before the committee. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) and Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ) have also stated their refusal to comply with the panel’s subpoenas, which they claim is constitutionally invalid because it fell short of certain legal standards. Meanwhile, Reps. Mo Brooks (R-AL) and Jim Jordan (R-OH) recently outlined their list of demands for the committee before they would commit to a testimony. The panel swiftly shot down Jordan’s demands.

Latest News

Notable Replies

  1. Something those who claim Garland must “dO sOmEtHiNg!!!1!” should consider as Bannon is going through this open and shut case.

  2. Avatar for jrw jrw says:

    Based on the legal theory of neener-neener-neener.

  3. I used to think Ted Cruz had the best example of a “please punch me now” face.

    And without context, maybe he still wins. But with context, knowing what this shit has willingly done to our country… his face screams… rages… “please punch me now”.

  4. This kind of makes it seem like Bannon has any power equivalent to the Congress. Who the hell is he to subpoena anyone - America’s Most Obvious Alcoholic!?

  5. It’s not polite to laugh and point.

    But sometimes it is necessary.

Continue the discussion at forums.talkingpointsmemo.com

97 more replies

Participants

Avatar for lestatdelc Avatar for cassandram Avatar for daveminnj Avatar for tigersharktoo Avatar for rollinnolan Avatar for teenlaqueefa Avatar for irasdad Avatar for inversion Avatar for christianhankel Avatar for wassmuss Avatar for lastroth Avatar for mtblaze Avatar for hoagie Avatar for darrtown Avatar for thunderclapnewman Avatar for isakindamagic Avatar for noonm Avatar for brian512 Avatar for rhs1963 Avatar for karlwlewis Avatar for jwbuho Avatar for occamscoin Avatar for eaharrison Avatar for rascal_crone

Continue Discussion
Masthead Masthead
Founder & Editor-in-Chief:
Executive Editor:
Managing Editor:
Deputy Editor:
Editor at Large:
General Counsel:
Publisher:
Head of Product:
Director of Technology:
Associate Publisher:
Front End Developer:
Senior Designer: