According to a letter the committee received late Saturday from Bannon’s attorneys, the former White House strategist Steve Bannon intends to testify before the House committee looking into January 6, 2021, uprising at the U.S. Capitol, according to Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.), who made the announcement.
According to Lofgren, a member of the House committee, “I expect that we will be hearing from him and there are many questions that we have for him.”
Due to the length of such sessions as the committee tries to get all its questions addressed, Bannon’s deposition is unlikely to be broadcast live to the general public, she added.
Bannon, a steadfast supporter of former President Donald Trump, had previously declined to show up for a deposition despite the committee’s subpoena. As a result, he was given two counts of criminal contempt in November.
Trump reportedly gave Bannon his approval on Saturday to testify before the committee, telling Bannon in a letter obtained by CNN and The Washington Post that he would forgo his claimed right to executive privilege to allow Bannon to testify. Trump then abruptly reversed course.
“I invoked Executive Privilege when you originally received the Subpoena to testify and produce documents. The president reportedly said to Bannon, “I witnessed how cruelly you and others have been handled, having to pay astronomical sums on legal bills, and all of the anguish you must be going through for the love of your Country.
Government attorneys have refuted Trump’s assertion of executive privilege.
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Late last year, Bannon entered a not guilty plea to the two contempt charges, which each carry a maximum sentence of one year in prison and a fine of $100,000. On July 18, his trial is scheduled to start.
Peter Navarro, a former employee of the Trump White House, was also charged with obstruction of justice last month for his refusal to assist the committee’s probe. The previous trade advisor likewise entered a not guilty plea.
A request for comment on Sunday did not immediately elicit a response from Bannon’s legal counsel.
