Longtime Donald Trump adviser Stephen Bannon was indicted for defying subpoenas by the special congressional committee investigating the deadly Jan. 6 assault on the U.S. Capitol, a major move by the Justice Department to compel cooperation by the former president’s associates.
Bannon is charged with two counts of contempt, the Justice Department said in a statement on Friday: one for his refusal to appear for a deposition and another involving his refusal to produce documents. An arraignment date hasn’t been set. Bannon declined to comment.
"Since my first day in office, I have promised Justice Department employees that together we would show the American people by word and deed that the department adheres to the rule of law, follows the facts and the law and pursues equal justice under the law,” Attorney General Merrick Garland said in the statement. "Today’s charges reflect the department’s steadfast commitment to these principles.”