'Lock him up': Internet slams Donald Trump ally Steve Bannon after he asks SCOTUS to delay his 4-month prison sentence

WASHINGTON, DC: Steve Bannon, a longtime ally of former President Donald Trump, has taken his battle against a prison sentence to the Supreme Court.

On Friday, June 21, Bannon requested the Supreme Court to delay his four-month prison term, Associated Press reported while he continues to fight his convictions for defying a subpoena from the House committee investigating the January 6 attack on the US Capitol.

Steve Bannon's Supreme Court bid following appeals court rejection

Bannon is set to report to prison by July 1 after being convicted on two counts of contempt of Congress nearly two years ago.

His convictions stem from his refusal to sit for a deposition and provide documents to the Jan 6 House Committee investigating Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election results.

Earlier this month, US District Judge Carl Nichols, a Trump appointee, approved the prosecution's request to send Bannon to prison.

This decision followed a three-judge panel of the US Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit upholding Bannon's conviction.

Bannon's lawyers sought to allow him to remain free while continuing to challenge the conviction, but the DC Circuit panel rejected this request in a two-one vote.

Judges Cornelia Pillard, nominated by former President Barack Obama, and Bradley Garcia, a nominee of President Joe Biden, voted in favor of sending Bannon to prison.

Judge Justin Walker, nominated by Trump, dissented, arguing that Bannon should not have to serve time before the Supreme Court decides whether to hear his case.

Prosecutors argue Steve Bannon's bail statue requires his continued detention

Bannon has labeled the case as politically motivated with his attorney David Schoen claiming it raises "serious constitutional issues" needing Supreme Court review according to CBS News. 

Prosecutors dismissed Bannon's defense, stating in court documents, "Bannon's role in political discourse is irrelevant."

 

They highlighted that "even-handed application of the bail statute requires Bannon's continued detention."

Bannon's legal team argued that he was engaged in good-faith negotiations with the congressional committee at the time he was charged, rather than outright ignoring the subpoena.

A similar case involving Trump aide and trade adviser Peter Navarro is already serving his four-month prison sentence for contempt of Congress.

 

Navarro claimed he couldn't cooperate with the committee due to Trump invoking executive privilege, an argument the judge barred at trial, finding insufficient evidence that Trump had actually invoked it.

Internet reacts to Steve Bannon's Supreme Court appeal

The House Jan 6 committee's final report accused Trump of criminally engaging in a "multi-part conspiracy" to overturn the 2020 election results and failing to act to stop his supporters from attacking the Capitol.

Internet users have reacted strongly to Bannon's Supreme Court appeal.

One user on X commented, "He's hoping his buddy gets his old job back," referring to the possibility of Trump's re-election in November.

Another user expressed frustration, "How many more times will he appeal? He should’ve been in jail already."

Other comments included, "OMG! Just go to jail already" and criticism directed at the Supreme Court, "Scotus working OT trying to save ppl."

More comments reflected a desire for accountability, "Lock Him Up" and predictions about the judicial system, "Imagine the free time courts will have once Trump and his gang of felons are all gone. No more appeal after appeal. No more motions to delay or remove judges from cases."

One wrote, "People in Trump’s orbit who have run afoul of the law now think the SCOTUS is their get out of trouble credit card. They are always talking about law and order but have a difficult time abiding by it."

Another user voiced concerns about the court's priorities, "If they accept the case while they ignore others that are far more consequential, then they've proven, again, they are corrupt."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.