Capitol assault investigation: elected officials recommend prosecution of Steve Bannon
The Special Committee for the Attack on the Capitol is calling for a criminal prosecution for contempt of Congress against Steve Bannon, Donald Trump's former political adviser.
AP - Evan Vucci
Text by: RFI Follow
2 min
Steve Bannon is indicted by the US Special Commission for the January 6 Capitol Attack.
The commission is launching contempt of Congress proceedings against the former adviser to Donald Trump who did not respond to a summons to testify.
He faces up to a year in prison, but the legal path is still long.
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With our correspondent in Washington,
Guillaume Naudin
No one is above the law.
That's the message from the commission when it seeks a criminal contempt of Congress lawsuit against Steve Bannon.
The former political adviser to Donald Trump had invoked the privilege of the executive, which allows the president not to reveal certain information in order not to appear before the Special Commission.
But for Democrats, this prerogative only applies to the incumbent president.
► To read also:
Assault on the Capitol: what was the role of Donald Trump?
Steve Bannon must comply with the investigation, said Bennie Thompson the chairman of the commission, made up of seven Democratic representatives and two Republicans.
It is also about making other key witnesses called to testify understand that in the event of refusal, encouraged by Donald Trump, there will be consequences.
► See also:
Assault on the Capitol: opening of the House of Representatives commission of inquiry
The beginning of a long judicial road
The consequences are between a month and a year in prison.
But there is still a long way to go for that.
The House of Representatives, which is due to meet in plenary on Thursday, must approve the resolution, which should not pose a problem with a Democratic majority.
It will then be up to the Ministry of Justice to decide whether or not to initiate proceedings.
The ministry said it would make its decision independently.
It must be said that President Joe Biden has made it very clear that he wants those who do not respond to summons to be prosecuted.
But with all the possibilities for appeal, the proceedings have only just begun.
► Also to listen:
[Original podcast] Attack on the Capitol
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United States
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Joe biden
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