Appeals court panel refuses to delay Steve Bannon prison sentence

A federal appeals court panel has rejected Steve Bannon’s request to avoid prison as he challenges his conviction for defying a subpoena from the House committee investigating the Capitol attack.

Bannon faces a four-month sentence for contempt of Congress and is required to report to prison by July 1.

Despite efforts by Bannon’s lawyers to keep him free during the appeal process, a 2-1 vote upheld the decision that defendants typically begin serving their sentence after conviction.

The Justice Department is “giving an appearance that the government is trying to prevent Mr. Bannon from fully assisting with the campaign and speaking out on important issues, and also ensuring the government exacts its pound of flesh before the possible end of the Biden Administration,” Bannon’s lawyers said.

Bannon’s case involves his refusal to comply with the committee’s requests regarding his involvement in Trump’s efforts to contest the 2020 election.

“Bannon also cannot reconcile his claim for special treatment with the bedrock principle of equal justice under the law,” prosecutors wrote. “Even-handed application of the bail statute requires Bannon’s continued detention.”