Steve Bannon begins 4-month prison sentence for contempt of Congress

Steve Bannon remained defiant as he turned himself in to serve four months in a federal prison Monday, July 1. The longtime Trump ally was convicted of contempt for defying a congressional subpoena from the committee that probed the Jan. 6, 2021 U.S. Capitol attack. 

“I’m proud to go to prison,” Bannon said in a press conference before turning himself over to authorities. “I am proud of going to prison today.”

Bannon will serve his sentence at the federal correctional institution in Danbury, Connecticut. 

“If this is what it takes to stand up to tyranny, if that’s what it takes to stand up to the [Attorney General Merrick] Garland corrupt criminal DOJ, if this is what it takes to stand up to Nancy Pelosi, if this is what it takes to stand up to Joe Biden, I’m proud to do it,” Bannon said.

“I was on a destroyer for four years in the Navy,” Bannon continued.” I am prepared for whatever prison has, right? Our prisons are run very well. The Bureau of Prisons does a great job. I’m prepared to do this, whatever task I do, I’m totally prepared mentally, physically, everything, for prison.” 

In an interview on Monday, July 1, former President Trump blamed President Biden for what he claims is a “weaponization” of the justice system. Trump said Biden is “going to pay a big price” for it. Trump’s campaign told ABC News that Trump’s statement meant Biden will lose the election come November.

In 2022, Bannon was convicted of two misdemeanor counts of contempt of Congress after he refused to cooperate with a House committee investigating the Capitol riot. Bannon, a former chief strategist for Trump and a prominent figure in right-wing media, initially delayed his prison term through an appeal.

However, after the D.C. Circuit Court upheld his conviction, he was ordered by U.S. District Court Judge Carl Nichols to begin his four-month sentence.