Steve Bannon has filed an emergency appeal with the Supreme Court to avoid imprisonment after his conviction for contempt of Congress.
Friday's move, reported by The Hill, was anticipated by many but still sets the stage for a potentially dramatic legal showdown. (RELATED: Steve Bannon's Appeal Denied – Supreme Court Showdown Ahead)
“An even-handed approach thus strongly favors allowing Mr. Bannon to remain on release,” Bannon's attorney, Trent McCotter, wrote in the appeal.
“There is also no denying the fact that the government seeks to imprison Mr. Bannon for the four-month period immediately preceding the November presidential election,” McCotter added. “There is no reason for that outcome in a case that presents substantial legal issues.”
Late Thursday, a federal appeals panel denied Bannon's efforts to stay out of jail in a 2-1 decision. The majority opined that Bannon “knew what the subpoena required yet intentionally refused to appear or to produce any of the requested documents.”
In a dissenting opinion, Judge Justin Walker — an appointee of former President Trump — wrote that Bannon should not be incarcerated before the Supreme Court considers the appeal of his conviction.
“Applicant Mr. Bannon seeks the narrow relief of continued bail pending completion of his further appeals—relief that Judge Walker would have granted below, as explained in his dissent,” McCotter wrote.
Bannon is the second Trump adviser sentenced to jail in connection with efforts to evade the House Jan. 6 committee. Peter Navarro, a former economic adviser to Trump, is currently serving a four-month sentence for contempt of Congress after his emergency appeals all failed, including at the Supreme Court. His release is scheduled for July 17.
The court's decision to intervene in Bannon's case is uncertain, as it previously declined to intervene in the case of Navarro, who faced similar charges.
This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.
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