The Justice Department under President Donald Trump has initiated a significant legal manoeuvre to clear the criminal record of his longtime confidant, Steven Bannon, in connection with the January 6 Capitol riot. On Monday, federal prosecutors formally requested the Supreme Court and a federal judge to dismiss Bannon's criminal indictment and conviction for refusing to testify before the Democrat-led January 6 Committee.
DOJ Cites 'Interests of Justice' in Dismissal Request
A representative from the Department of Justice declared that removing the charges against Bannon is in the 'interests of justice', following years of alleged political persecution under the prior Biden administration. This move marks a dramatic shift in the legal proceedings surrounding the January 6 investigation.
Solicitor General John Sauer articulated the government's position in a Supreme Court motion, stating: 'The government has determined in its prosecutorial discretion that dismissal of this criminal case is in the interests of justice.' He further explained that the Justice Department has accordingly lodged a motion in the district court under Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 48(a) to vacate the judgment and dismiss the indictment with prejudice.
Bannon's Conviction and Imprisonment
Steven Bannon served four months in federal prison in 2024 after being convicted on two counts of contempt of Congress. His conviction stemmed from his refusal in 2021 to not only testify but also to provide any documents to the January 6 Committee, which was formed by a Democratic majority under then-Speaker Nancy Pelosi to investigate the attack on the US Capitol.
The Justice Department has argued that the law 'allows the government to seek dismissal even after a jury finds the defendant guilty and the district court enters judgment.' This legal interpretation is central to their current efforts to overturn Bannon's conviction.
Legal Challenges to January 6 Committee's Authority
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche presented additional arguments challenging the legitimacy of the January 6 Select Committee itself. Blanche contended that the committee was not created properly, and therefore, the subpoenas issued for Bannon to testify were unlawful.
Blanche also claimed the January 6 Committee represented part of the Biden administration's 'weaponization' of the legal system. 'Today the Department of Justice told the Supreme Court that Steve Bannon's conviction arising from the J6 'Unselect' Committee's improper subpoena should be vacated,' Blanche stated. 'Under the leadership of Attorney General Bondi, this Department will continue to undo the prior administration's weaponization of the justice system.'
Current Legal Proceedings
The Supreme Court justices are currently reviewing an appeal filed by Bannon's attorneys, while US Attorney Jeanine Pirro simultaneously requested a federal judge in Washington DC on Monday to vacate Bannon's prior conviction and dismiss the indictment. These parallel legal actions represent a comprehensive effort to clear Bannon's record.
Bannon has been a close adviser to President Donald Trump for over a decade and is often credited as being a key part of Trump's electoral success in 2016 against former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Following his refusal to cooperate with the committee in 2021, the House voted to hold him in contempt of Congress, leading to prosecution by the Biden administration's Justice Department.
The Daily Mail reached out to Bannon for comment regarding these latest developments, though no response has been reported at this time. This case continues to highlight the ongoing political and legal battles surrounding the January 6 investigation and its aftermath.
