Politics
Federal judge declines Justice Department request to dismiss Steve Bannon's conviction
A federal judge ruled that prosecutors failed to adequately justify erasing Bannon's contempt of Congress conviction, though the government may file a revised request.
The short version
- U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols denied a Justice Department request to vacate Steve Bannon's criminal conviction for contempt of Congress.
- The judge stated prosecutors did not sufficiently explain their reasoning, but left open the possibility for the government to renew its motion.
- Bannon has already completed a four-month prison sentence resulting from his 2022 conviction for defying a House Jan. 6 committee subpoena.
Key facts
- U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols rejected a Department of Justice request to dismiss Steve Bannon's criminal conviction for defying a House Jan. 6 committee subpoena.[Associated Press]
- The judge ruled that prosecutors failed to properly explain their motivations, but noted the government may renew its request under proper legal procedures.[Associated Press]
- In February, U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro requested the dismissal, stating in a court filing that it was in the interests of justice.[Associated Press]
- Bannon served a four-month prison sentence following his 2022 jury conviction.[Associated Press]
- The U.S. Supreme Court previously threw out an appellate ruling that had upheld Bannon's conviction following a request by prosecutors.[Associated Press]
What remains uncertain
- Whether the Justice Department will refile a motion to dismiss Bannon's conviction with additional justification.[Associated Press]