Former President Trump adviser Steve Bannon was sentenced to four months in prison for contempt of Congress but will not have to serve time until his appeal plays out, CNN reports. He was fined $6,500. Before announcing the sentence on Friday, U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols laid out the factors cutting in favor and against a substantial sentence. He said there were “problems” with Bannon’s position that the Trump assertions of privilege precluded him testifying or turning over any document.
The judge cited the failure of Bannon to produce any documents to the House Jan. 6 committee, or assemble a privilege log. Those factors cut towards a harsher sentence, the judge said. In Bannon’s favor, the judge said, was that the subpoena did raise potential legal issues, because it concerned someone who spoke directly to the President. Nichols noted that Bannon did not ignore the subpoena outright, and was using a lawyer to engage with the committee. Nichols reiterated that Bannon has not shown remorse, but said that Bannon had been compliant with the conditions of his pretrial release and in all proceedings in his court.
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