The Supreme Court of the United States has opened the door for the possible dismissal of a criminal case involving Steve Bannon, a former aide to Donald Trump.
In its latest action, the court vacated a previous appellate ruling that had upheld Bannon’s conviction for contempt of Congress and instructed that the case be reviewed again. The decision follows a request from the U.S. Justice Department, which indicated that continuing the prosecution may no longer be appropriate.
Bannon was convicted in 2022 after declining to comply with a subpoena issued by a congressional committee investigating the January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol. He later completed a four-month prison term in 2024.
Although the conviction had earlier been affirmed on appeal, the Supreme Court’s intervention effectively sends the case back to lower courts for reconsideration, taking into account the government’s revised stance.
The Justice Department’s position shift came after a change in administration, with officials suggesting that pursuing the case further was not justified. Meanwhile, Bannon has consistently argued that his refusal to testify was based on legal counsel and concerns tied to executive privilege.
Should the case ultimately be dismissed, the conviction would be nullified, though the outcome would carry limited immediate consequences, given that Bannon has already served his sentence.
