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Former chief strategist under the Trump administration, Steve Bannon, torched the highly partisan Jan. 6 Committee, challenging chairman Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., to face him in court.
Outside the courthouse where Bannon’s trial is proceeding, he called Thompson “gutless” and an “absolute disgrace” for not facing him in court, according to The Post Millenial. Bannon faces charges for refusing to comply with a subpoena issued by the committee over the events of Jan. 6.
“He didn’t have the guts to show up here, and he sent a staffer,” Bannon told reporters outside the courthouse Tuesday.
“I challenge Bennie Thompson today to have the courage to come to this courthouse. If he’s going to charge somebody with a crime, he’s got to be man enough to show up here… It is outrageous,” said Bannon. “For them to sit there and try to get a complete hearing and they won’t get any testimony, about FBI involvement, about DHS involvement, about any involvement, and what’s driving this. The total and complete illegitimacy of Joe Biden.”
Bannon’s trial, which began this week, comes after the U.S. House referred him to the Justice Department for refusing to comply with a subpoena by the Jan. 6 Committee. Bannon pleaded not guilty, as previously reported.
The former Trump advisor then issued subpoenas to Democrat leaders and all committee members ahead of his trial, asserting that the charges against him were politically motivated.
Bannon’s legal team handed subpoenas to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, Majority Whip Jim Clyburn, House general counsel Douglas Letter, and three staff committee members, the Washington Examiner reported.
Bannon’s attorney, David Schoen, told the outlet, “the subpoenas seek the production of documents by July 14 and the witnesses’ trial testimony for Mr. Bannon’s trial beginning July 18th.”
Ahead of his trial, President Trump sent a letter to Bannon revoking special executive privilege, enabling Bannon to testify “truthfully and fairly, as per the request of the Unselect Committee of political Thugs and Hacks…”
Nonetheless, the much-anticipated trial kicked off Monday with Bannon arriving at the courthouse smiling as jury selection began in Washington, D.C.