October 21, 2022

"'Others must be deterred from committing similar crimes,' said Judge Nichols, a Trump appointee...."

From "Bannon Sentenced to 4 Months in Prison for Contempt of Congress/Stephen Bannon was found guilty of two counts of contempt of Congress this summer for defying a subpoena from the House Jan. 6 committee" (NYT).

Mr. Bannon, a rapid-talking provocateur who has used his daily internet radio show to skewer the government for prosecuting him, approached his sentencing with the same defiance that has characterized his attitude toward the congressional summons that prompted the case. He told reporters that he viewed President Biden as “illegitimate” as he entered Federal District Court in Washington, flanked by his lawyers. After thanking reporters for showing up, he went on to claim that Democrats would face their “judgment day” in the coming midterm elections and urged all within earshot to oppose the Chinese Communist Party.

He sat impassively in a dark military-style jacket and an untucked blue shirt as the sentence was issued.

Boldface added.

83 comments:

Dear corrupt left, go F yourselves said...

Recall when Jimmy Carter, Hillary and many others called Trump an "illegitimate president" ?



Joe Smith said...

Lois Lerner and Eric Holder unavailable for comment.

Mark O said...

We are lost.

Leland said...

I'm not seeing the deterrence. 4 months isn't much of a sentence. It is a sentence, which is more than any Obama official received for being in Contempt of Congress. However, if only one side even gets prosecuted, there is no deterrence.

Wince said...

The "crime" and "similar crimes" being?

Eric Holder's?

heyboom said...

Asymmetric lawfare.

Humperdink said...

Obama's self-described wingman, former AG Eric Holder refused to comply with a congressional subpoena.

To borrow a quote from Obama's comrade Bill Ayers (1970s-era Weather Underground bomber): "Guilty as hell, free as bird".

Mike Sylwester said...

We are supposed to suspect that Steve Bannon was a secret intermediary between President Trump and the Oath Keepers. That is why the Congressional Committee needs to interrogate him and why he resists such an interrogation.

However, the FBI knows everything about the Oath Keepers. If there were some relationship between Bannon and the Oath Keepers, the public would know about it by now.

=======

Bannon is a multi-millionaire. He will be OK. This is just an escapade for him.

Mr Wibble said...

No one will be deterred, because dems know that no hurry in dc or nova will ever convict them, and no doj will ever bring charges.

TheOne Who Is Not Obeyed said...

Gonna have to throw me in jail too, I've already committed the "crime" of being in contempt of Congress. Because most Congresscritters are contemptible.

tim maguire said...

I suppose the next Republican congress could release him, but that's probably not a good use of political capital.

rhhardin said...

In order to make more than a show-trial point, the judge would also have to deter the 5th Amendment.

RoseAnne said...

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/jun/28/eric-holder-contempt-historic-congress-vote

Steve Bannon received the same treatment as Eric Holder, correct?

Michael K said...

Obama's "wing man," Holder, was similarly Held in contempt of Congress but he is a Democrat and therefore immune to such abuse. The appeals should be interesting.

who-knew said...

And just how many people that are held in contempt of congress and referred for prosecution are actually prosecuted? Was Eric Holder tried? Selective prosecution (or should that be persecution) of political opponents like this is just another reason that many people distrust the DOJ. Plus, how can you have anything BUT contempt for the congress clowns on the J6 committee.

rcocean said...

Shameful. A Democrat in Bannon's place would never be charged, and would be found NOT Guilty by a biased DC jury. I'm wondering if the Judge has become absurdly pro-prosecution because he wants to lose on Appeal. He refused to let Bannon mount his defense, and now sentenced him to 4 months in jail, despite his agreeing to testify.

I don't like Bannon, but this is just example no. 5432 that we have two different justice systems: One for the Liberals/Democrats and another for everyone else. It will continue until the R's start fighting back.

Jupiter said...

My understanding is that the Jan 6 committee is an illegally organized farce, and its subpoenas are toilet paper. But apparently that isn't Judge Nichols' understanding.

rcocean said...

Its a rather funny, and not as in haha funny way, that criminals in NYC and other places are spending less than 4 months in jail for assault, robbery, and/or theft.

clint said...

How long before Eric Holder starts selling merchandise to cash in on this?

Paul said...

With good time out in 2 months. And I assume he will be in 'Club Fed'.

And yes, Biden's regime is illegitimate and the mid-terms will be a reckoning.

I hear they subpoena Trump today.

Hope he testifies 1 week BEFORE the midterms and gives 'em a piece of his mind!

Stick it to them folks... these are just a form of French Revolutionary Tribunal... Chinese Communist Party style!

Yea, show trials...

Paul said...

With good time out in 2 months. And I assume he will be in 'Club Fed'.

And yes, Biden's regime is illegitimate and the mid-terms will be a reckoning.

I hear they subpoena Trump today.

Hope he testifies 1 week BEFORE the midterms and gives 'em a piece of his mind!

Stick it to them folks... these are just a form of French Revolutionary Tribunal... Chinese Communist Party style!

Yea, show trials...

ccscientist said...

Gee, you mean you can go to JAIL for contempt of congress? Why didn't Eric Holder and numerous other go to jail? Oh, right, they are dems.

deepelemblues said...

Judge Nichols will remain silent when multiple figures defy subpoenas from the Republican House next year, are duly declared in contempt and referred to the DOJ for prosecution, and are never prosecuted.

Jason said...

He should serve the same sentence as former attorney general Eric Holder.

Dear corrupt left, go F yourselves said...

I'm now realizing why the left want to purge police departments around the nation. Demoralizing police and getting them to quit is all part of the larger plan to install a loyal leftwing police force - that will do the bidding of the Democrats (Biden-crats - mob bosses)

Jim at said...

Rules for all or rules for none. See: Holder, Eric.

The left wants rules for some.

That's how you get rules for none.

Careful what you wish for, leftists. You just might get it.

Steven said...

So, when does Eric Holder go to prison?

J Melcher said...

Bannon may have been referring to this sort of claim:

https://www.nationalreview.com/2022/10/grassley-chinese-government-front-company-paid-biden-for-work-done-while-he-was-vp/

Narayanan said...

is it clear what is his crime?

under what law is it crime to express contempt of Congress except at ballot box at prescribed place and time?

Mark said...

Deterred from committing similar crimes. Complete BS. How much time did Eric Holder serve?

If this is how they are going to play it, then the GOP Congress should subpoena Dems left and right all day and all night long. In fact, subpoena Holder to come down and answer questions.

Earnest Prole said...

On the bright side, four months in the farm is an ideal opportunity to dry out.

Anthony said...

*Eric Holder has entered the chat*

donald said...

For part of the electorate at least. That’s fucking rich.

donald said...

For part of the electorate at least. That’s fucking rich.

Mike (MJB Wolf) said...

With a stay pending appeal. Looking forward to the appeals court hearing on this. Either executive privilege means something or it doesn’t. Joe and his advisers have a lot of splaining to do if the next level upholds Bannon’s conviction. They won’t like the new rules.

Big Mike said...

@Althouse, regarding your bolded text. Bannon understands who has bribed American politicians, even if you are dubious.

WA-mom said...

Remember when Obama's Attorney General, Eric Holder, was held in contempt of Congress several times. No equal treatment before the law for Conservatives.

iowan2 said...

Dozens of people have refuse congressional subpoenas. Bannon, one of a very few that has been persecuted. So spare me the sop about rule of law and deterrence.

Michael K said...

Now do Eric Holder. Maybe the judge can pursue that case which was real. This is a kangaroo court.

Bob Boyd said...

Honk if you feel contempt for Congress.

Gusty Winds said...

I'd say the J6 Committe is now quite successful. They have successfully implemented the two tier justice system liberals want to protect "democracy".

I don't remember Eric Holder being sentenced to jail time for contempt of congress, nor even being prosecuted. Liberals can even lie to the FBI and send the country into a fake three year Russian collusion investigation and escape any accountability, as long as you have a polluted DC jury.

Sadly, Steve Bannon is a truth seeking, truth speaking hero...and he just got sentenced to prison for it. Joe Biden is and installed President and we are all paying the price. If you don't have contempt for Congress in 2022...you must be receiving some of the handout money.

Our new country is kicking ass. I can hear the cheers in Madison, WI all the way from Waukesha County. Jump around!!!

Yancey Ward said...

The problem is that this particular law is only applied to Republicans who refuse to comply with Congressional subpoenas. This is a double standard that cannot be allowed to stand. Either is is illegal to disobey a congressional subpoena or it is not, it can't be applied unfairly this way.

Lem Vibe Bandit said...

Taking the 5th is a crime now?

Richard Aubrey said...

So Obama judges and DoJ officials--Holder and Lerner cases--don't prosecute or convict dems.

A Trump judge follows the law.

cubanbob said...

Now that this is precedent when Trump comes into office in 2025 the DoJ should prosecute Eric Holder.

Dear corrupt left, go F yourselves said...

Grassley: Chinese-Government Front Company Paid Biden for Work Done While He Was VP

MadTownGuy said...

I was hoping this blog post might apply to the drive very of the red SUV, but alas...

Rabel said...

"a dark military-style jacket"

Damn that's scary. But it looked like Lands End or Columbia to me.

lgv said...

Glad to see he got the same sentence as Eric Holder. Fair is fair. Right?

"..similar crimes". The crime of not showing up to testify. How many months did the people who set fire to federal and police buildings get? How about the millions of migrants who don't show up for their hearing?

Ampersand said...

Legislative body subpoenas, when issued with certainty of noncompliance, sure do look like bills of attainder.

When the other party is in power, is this going to be the new way to throw your adversaries in jail?

How to criminalize political disagreement.

Rabel said...

Why is there a statue of a 10-foot tall rat made to look line Donald Trump sitting on a pedestal directly in front of the entrance to the courthouse?

Bob Boyd said...

Rabel said...
"a dark military-style jacket"

Damn that's scary.


It was an assault jacket.

Rabel said...

As he was walking away from the microphones he turned back and said, "By the way, and remember, take down the CCP."

If it's worth bolding it's worth getting it right.

effinayright said...

First it was "Red Wave".

Then it was "Red Tsunami"

Now, it looks like it'll be an Interstellar-level Red Tsunami".

One can hope.

Lem Vibe Bandit said...

The Waukesha killer is getting a better shake than Bannon.

MSOM said...

Why in the world are members of Congress given the power to subpoena witnesses?

With eg. courts, I'm able to maintain a blissful naivety that prosecutors issue subpoenas for the primary purpose of getting to the bottom of a crime.

But giving politicians that power? Of course they're going to use it to force an endless stream of their opponents to choose between (a) answering embarrassing questions whose sole purpose is to provide fodder to be used against them later, (b) being convicted of perjury if they are not completely forthcoming in their answers, or (c) being convicted of contempt if they refuse to participate.

alanc709 said...

When is Eric Holder being tried for contempt of Congress? When is Lois Lerner?

chuck said...

I at a loss at to why the Times prints these articles that make the government look bad. Perhaps they are secret MAGA agents.

farmgirl said...

https://youtu.be/zkKb4Zt48x8

Sums it up for me.

As my whimsy leads me.. said...

Regarding the CCP statement: the theme of Steve Bannon's War Room program is: “Take Down the CCP,” by Miles Guo. Guo is a Chinese billionaire who is a friend and colleague of Bannon’s, and has been in quite a bit of trouble himself.
Here is the song—
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=DXbwKf-2iB8

Toy

As my whimsy leads me.. said...

Regarding the CCP statement: the theme of Steve Bannon's War Room program is: “Take Down the CCP,” by Miles Guo. Guo is a Chinese billionaire who is a friend and colleague of Bannon’s, and has been in quite a bit of trouble himself.
Here is the song—
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=DXbwKf-2iB8

Toy

As my whimsy leads me.. said...

Regarding the CCP statement: the theme of Steve Bannon's War Room program is: “Take Down the CCP,” by Miles Guo. Guo is a Chinese billionaire who is a friend and colleague of Bannon’s, and has been in quite a bit of trouble himself.
Here is the song—
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=DXbwKf-2iB8

Toy

Mark said...

The Eric Holder talking point got communicated well, almost as well as when Rush, pbuh, was alive.

jpg said...

Eric Holder is really enjoying this.

Lem Vibe Bandit said...

If my recollection doesn’t fail me. One of the whitewater witnesses refused to testify about the Clintons and she was held in jail to compel her testimony. I don’t remember the details. But that was not a “congressional investigation“.

This is a political event masquerading as a legal standing court of law.

I could be wrong.

TeaBagHag said...

Shameless, scumbag criminal goes to the pokey.
Reasonable citizens are pleased, antisocial MAGAt cretins foam at the mouth about it.

walter said...

"As the throng pressed Mr. Bannon against his black S.U.V., he briefly lingered inside the half-open rear door, taking in the spectacle with a wry smile before taking off.

The chaotic scene outside the court was emblematic of the push-and-shove rancor Mr. Bannon has evoked since becoming a fixture of Mr. Trump’s political circle seven years ago."

Along with the snappy closures of many journo=sphincters. Do we ever get such colorful descriptors regarding Joementia?

However, the added aestthetic detail re Bannon's jacket and untucked shirt by Glenn and Al supports the fluid nature of gender.

Scott said...

This judge is a disgrace. As a law school prof you should call him/her out. Unequal application of the law is third world crap. But you say nothing.

David Duffy said...

If I had enough money I would have an annual reward for the person with the most contempt for Congress.

This year's one-million dollar reward for the man with the most contempt, Steve Bannon! Here's your golden trophy and check. Speech! Speech!

Crazy World said...

Surely this will silence him, now go get Trump!
Hilarious

Readering said...

WSJ editorial approves of what happened to Bannon

wendybar said...

Don't be surprised that this doesn't end well for Progressives. They keep poking the angry bear, and expect it to retreat, but it doesn't work that way. Payback will be a bitch for them.

Ann Althouse said...

"I was hoping this blog post might apply to the drive very of the red SUV, but alas... "

You'd better be sure there isn't another post on the subject before you come at me with your "alas."

wendybar said...

"Former Obama officials openly defied congressional subpoenas, even lied, and have remained unscathed by the Justice Department. The former Director of National Intelligence lied to Congress about the government collecting metadata on scores of Americans. Eric Holder, the hyper-political attorney general under Obama, defied a subpoena to turn over documents relating to the Fast and Furious scandal. He was also held in contempt of Congress, only to be spared judgment by a federal judge.

In the case of Igor Danchenko, you can be acquitted of lying to the FBI about Donald Trump, pushing salacious and spurious claims about how the former president is a Kremlin agent, among other things that we don’t need to delve into, which set off the Russian collusion circus. Nothing this guy said was factual, but he got away with it.


Forget about Bannon’s past; his political and business activities are not the issue here—it’s that Democrats have done similar things or worse, which warrant jail time but got bailed out due to partisan biases. It was always prevalent, but it’s been more overt and explicit since 2016 for obvious reasons. "

https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6329595&postID=5587563022220437894

Browndog said...

Comparing Bannon to Eric Holder or Louis Lerner is the conservative version of "Trump is just like Hitler".

When they indict Trump for non-crimes I expect to hear "What about Obama!" cries from the principled conservative chattering class.

Kevin said...

He can go into a cell with the guy who purposely altered evidence for the FISA court.

Jaq said...

"Comparing Bannon to Eric Holder or Louis Lerner is the conservative version of "Trump is just like Hitler"."

Please explain how the case of Bannon is nothing like case of Holder, or Lois Lerner, if you choose.

"Reasonable citizens are pleased, antisocial MAGAt cretins foam at the mouth about it."

See you in November, sweetie.

(I suspect TBH is doing GOTV work for the Republicans, on the other hand, she sounds pretty authentic, but if so, good work!)

wendybar said...

The correct link to my post at 5:15 am.

https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2022/10/decoding_the_sentencing_of_steve_bannon_and_the_subpoena_to_president_trump.html

wendybar said...

THIS sums up the divide perfectly.


https://media.gab.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=684.5999979972839,quality=100,fit=scale-down/system/media_attachments/files/118/532/981/original/c4eecbd0555cd47c.jpg

mikee said...

Any chance anyone gets to remind us all to oppose the CCP should be used to the fullest.
Like Wellington opposing Napoleon in all things, opposition to the CCP is an existential requirement of modern life. Down with the CCP!

Jim at said...

The Eric Holder talking point got communicated well

Pointing out the obvious isn't a talking point, dumas.

Narr said...

Wellington did more than his share against Boney, but IIRC it was Nelson talking to his captains who said that if Boney wants the fire poker placed one way, it was their duty to place it a different way.

Drago said...

Readering: "WSJ editorial approves of what happened to Bannon"

Breaking News From 2015: NeverTrump supports corrupt New Soviet Democratical tactics to get Trump!

Thanks for the update readering!

Next up for readering: Lincoln Pedophile Project opposes Trump!!!!

Next Next up for readering:Bill Kristol less than enthusiastic about Trump potential 2024 presidential run...DEVELOPING...