American elected officials spoke out on Thursday, October 21, in favor of bringing proceedings for obstructing the work of Congress against Steve Bannon, a close ally of former President Donald Trump, who refuses to participate in the investigations into the assault against the Capitol, January 6.
The 67-year-old former adviser was one of the architects of Donald Trump’s successful presidential campaign in 2016. He did not hold any official post on January 6 but appears to have spoken about the protest with the president in the days preceding , according to the House of Representatives special committee, which is investigating the role of the former Republican president in the attack by his supporters on the seat of Congress.
Despite his summons, Steve Bannon did not appear before elected officials last week. “We will not allow anyone to derail our work because it is too important: to make the future of American democracy strong and secure.”, said the chairman of the commission of inquiry, elected Democrat Bennie Thompson.
By this vote of the House of Representatives, Steve Bannon is now referred to federal prosecutors who will have to decide whether or not to indict him. If so, he could face up to one year in prison. But the legal battle could take months or years, which could undermine the investigation.
An essential testimony
Steve Bannon’s testimony is seen as essential because it is supposed to provide an understanding of what Donald Trump was doing before and during the assault, according to the statements of the Democratic Speaker of the House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi:
“According to published information, Steve Bannon had precise knowledge of the events of January 6 before they happened, played a role in the attack in many ways, and was very forthright about it. “
Steve Bannon said that Donald Trump’s lawyers had advised him not to appear before the commission, citing the right of presidents to keep certain documents and discussions confidential. But according to the commission, this protection does not apply because Trump is no longer president and has never officially asserted this privilege of the executive.
The resolution to give prosecutors the task of indicting Steve Bannon was passed by 229 votes to 202 in the House of Representatives. It was backed by all 220 House Democrats, as House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy, who initially called for an inquiry but spent the following months trying to thwart it, urged his troops to vote no.
Finally, nine Republicans voted ” Yes “, including Liz Cheney, vice-chair of the commission of inquiry and one of the only dissenting voices within his party against Donald Trump. Other Republican commissioner Adam Kinzinger, who also voted in favor of prosecution, said “No one is above the law”.