Steve Bannon, Donald Trump’s former strategist, turned himself in to US federal authorities on Monday (1st) to serve a four-month prison sentence for defying a congressional subpoena.
He reported to a federal prison in Danbury, Connecticut, and was taken into custody shortly after 12 p.m. Eastern Time.
Bannon was driven to the scene in a black van after speaking from a podium outside the correctional facility, saying he was “proud” to be going to prison.
“It’s time for me to surrender in Danbury,” he said.
Bannon is the second former Trump aide to be held in contempt of a congressional subpoena, after Peter Navarro began serving a four-month sentence earlier this year.
The two men were convicted of failing to comply with subpoenas issued to them by the now-defunct House Select Committee that investigated the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol.
The Supreme Court on Friday denied an appeal by Bannon to avoid reporting for arrest while he challenges his conviction before the federal appeals court in Washington, DC.
Bannon said he was not dismissive of the House committee but was relying on the advice of his lawyers not to respond to the subpoena until lawmakers ruled on Trump’s claims of executive privilege in the matter.
The courts did not allow him to argue this to the jury that decided his case.
He remains a staunch ally of Trump and is a vocal supporter of the Republican’s presidential re-election bid.
Limited contact with the outside world
For criminal defendants in the United States, there are worse prisons than the facility where Bannon will spend the next four months. Danbury has a relatively small prison population, with fewer than 1,200 male and female inmates.
The unit in which Bannon will be housed has convicted “white collar” criminals, although it may also include some violent criminals and others convicted of sexual crimes.
The cafeteria offers a variety of snacks, from peanut butter to banana chips, according to an online listing.
However, inmates do not have access to the Internet, according to people familiar with the prison.
Those in custody in Danbury can send emails without attachments, but they go through a monitored system. The Federal Bureau of Prisons code prohibits inmates from conducting business.
In addition to access to email, people in the prison are entitled to hundreds of minutes of phone time per month, which they can use at increments 15 minutes on a wall phone.
Once the monthly minutes are used up, there is no option to top them up.
However far he may be broadcasting to the Trump faithful for hours each day, Bannon insisted his “War Room” media platform would thrive even in his absence.
“We are a populist movement. This is all about the public. If I never go back to the War Room, it won’t make any difference,” Bannon said.
“I’m working 24/7 on this campaign,” said Bannon, who has no formal role in Donald Trump’s 2024 campaign but remains one of the former president’s biggest supporters even after being fired from Trump White House.
“I will have a much greater impact on the campaign when I am in prison than I have now”, he pointed out.
For now, though, Bannon is ready to go through an intake process Monday for inmates in Danbury.
He will go through a metal detector and undergo a strip search. You will then participate in a mental health assessment. Bannon will then be taken to his unit, given a sleeping bag, assigned a bed and left to acclimate to life behind bars.
So life won’t include reading letters from your fans, Bannon commented.
“You must focus 100% of your time on winning,” the former Trump strategist stressed about those who might be inspired to send notes of support to his jail cell.
“Don’t send me a letter, because I won’t read it,” he added.
Source: CNN Brasil
Bruce Belcher is a seasoned author with over 5 years of experience in world news. He writes for online news websites and provides in-depth analysis on the world stock market. Bruce is known for his insightful perspectives and commitment to keeping the public informed.
