Trial Date Set For Steve Bannon As Trump-Appointed Judge Vindicates January 6th Committee

Steve Bannon appeared in court Wednesday for his contempt of Congress charge — and though he walked into the building displaying bravado and pride, the process didn’t go the way that he hoped.

Before entering the courthouse, Bannon boasted, “We are going to destroy the Democratic party,” and seemed to be optimistic about the outcome. Courthouse News reporter Emily Zantow shared a video clip, ending with Bannon walking away from a question about what he’ll do if he doesn’t prevail in his effort to have the case dismised.

Steve Bannon is in court today arguing to have the contempt of Congress indictment against him dismissed.

I caught last bit of comments he made before entering the courthouse:

“You’re witnessing, right now, a political realignment like 1932.” @CourthouseNews pic.twitter.com/c1ABit6GPJ

— Emily Zantow (@EmilyZantowNews) June 15, 2022

“We’re here today, this is American Justice, this is our court system, listen to what the judge says, listen to everything that goes on.”

As it happens, Bannon did not prevail. According to Politico, not only did judges refuse to dismiss his case, but affirmed the legitimacy of the January 6th Committee — which he was challenging as a reason for dismissal.

U.S. District Court Judge Carl Nichols, appointed by Donald Trump, ruled in favor of the Committee, disagreeing with Bannon’s assertion that the Committee is invalid for a variety of reasons, including that there are only two Republicans on the panel.

NICHOLS also agrees with Judge Kelly that Liz Cheney effectively operates as the select committee's ranking member, even though she wasn't designated as such by the minority leader.

— Kyle Cheney (@kyledcheney) June 15, 2022

Bannon’s attorney has already said he may seek a delay to the trial, which is scheduled for next month, because of the publicity surrounding the January 6th Committee’s hearings.

See Also

No More Falling Back: Senate Unanimously Passes ‘Sunshine Protection Act’ to Permanently End Daylight Savings

As a man walks behind him with a ‘Failed Coup’ sign, a defiant State Bannon heading into court says: “MAGA is on the march! The J6 Committee is totally irrelevant. Completely irrelevant. Their ratings stink. They couldn’t even compete with us!” (His podcast). pic.twitter.com/Cz9xWhDxkd

— Ron Filipkowski 🇺🇦 (@RonFilipkowski) June 15, 2022

In another clip outside the courthouse, Bannon can be seen declaring that the Select Committee is “totally irrelevant,” citing the same attack Donald Trump has repeatedly lobbed — “Their ratings stink!”

According to Deseret News, at least 20 million viewers tuned in to the first hearing alone:

That’s a bigger audience than the typical ratings for Monday Night Football (which average 13.5 million viewers per game in 2021), the first hearing of former President Donald Trump’s first impeachment (14 million) and Sunday’s Tony Awards (3.9 million on just CBS).