(JustPatriots.com)- Former Trump adviser Steve Bannon has an upcoming July trial for two misdemeanor counts of contempt of Congress. The left media seem to hope he intends to use a “public authority defense” called Entrapment by estoppel to throw former President Donald Trump under the bus figuratively. But Bannon has never publicly accused or blamed Trump for anything.
Entrapment by estoppel is a claim that the government committed mistakes that led a defendant to believe he or she was behaving lawfully, presuming the defendant believed his or her actions were sanctioned by the government.
Entrapment by estoppel works against the DOJ, too.
Bannon was indicted last November for refusing to comply with a subpoena from the House Select Committee Investigating the so-called January 6th insurrection on the U.S. Capitol. The left believes that Bannon’s defense may argue that he is blameless because he acted on Trump’s authority while refusing the subpoena.
Despite not working at the White House on January 6, Steve Bannon claimed his contacts with then-President Trump were protected by Executive Privilege invoked by him. David Schoen, a member of Bannon’s legal team, explained that Executive Privilege applies to current and former employees and “even those who have never been employed by the executive branch outside consultants.”
Schoen accuses the House Select Committee of mistreating Bannon.
Just one day after the White House told Bannon’s legal team that the Biden administration would not support his privilege claim, the panel proceeded with a contempt vote. According to Schoen, Bannon’s lead lawyer Robert Costello requested that the committee allow their team a week to regroup. The request was ignored. Bannon was subpoenaed by the select committee on Sept. 23, 2021, and he was told to hand in all documents requested by Oct. 7 and then sit for a deposition by Oct. 14.
On the 18th, The Biden admin told Bannon to testify, Schoen said.
Contempt of Congress carries a maximum fine of $100,000 and a possible sentence of 12 months in jail. Steve Bannon has pleaded not guilty.
How many more show trials should we expect?
