CNN is just reporting that Bannon has been indicted.

[Vinca]

Finally!!

[Sanity Claws]

1. Happy dance!

[Alexander Of Assyria]

41. Personally not in much doubt and a couple of weeks for Garland and team to

review a massive Congressional reference report, seems about right timing.

The Congressional reference is compelling to overwhelming, beyond anything needed for the relatively low bar of an indictment.

Now comes trial, judgment…and final stroke of justice.

[wryter2000]

2. On MSNBC now

Great news. What happens now?

[Ohio Joe]

5. Hopefully Meadows next

[Alexander Of Assyria]

42. Trial and conviction and sentence and justice.

[Sparkly]

3. Next step: Arrest warrant!

[Bernardo de La Paz]

16. I was thinking they might arrest him before announcing indictments/warrants

I was wondering if planning for taking him into custody might be delayed and complicated; by fears of armed resistance.

[OrangeJoe]

40. HAH!

That punk Bannon is no more likely to offer armed resistance than any other blowhard. The ones who talk the most are the biggest cowards. Besides getting blown away by the cops is for followers, not leaders.

[Alexander Of Assyria]

43. He might already be in custody, no media tip off perhaps? Joyous day.

[Jedi Guy]

52. Expected to turn himself in on Monday, per CNN. N/T

[SergeStorms]

81. On full fugitive watch, I imagine.

He knows enough people with private airplanes though. But how many would be willing to jeopardize their own freedom to aid and abet Mr. Dirt?

[Jedi Guy]

83. Most likely, yeah.

I sure wouldn't risk my freedom or livelihood for him. You know he wouldn't return the favor. Just like Trump, zero sense of morals or decency.

[ColinC]

4. I heard somewhere that most criminals are repeat offenders

...this checks out.

[unweird]

8. Recidivism, thy name is Bannon

Putz

[hlthe2b]

6. Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you.

Best news on a Friday in some time.

[MineralMan]

7. MSNBC Too.

I guess we know now what the DOJ has been doing.

[Elessar Zappa]

9. I wonder if this news

will slow down the relentless cynicism coming from some on this website?

[BeyondGeography]

13. Alternatively

I wonder if the relentless pressure (which was hardly confined to this site) has something to do with this news.

[MineralMan]

21. I doubt it. It's a process that takes some time.

People apparently think the cops come and perp walk people. This is really an administrative sort of crime, not a violent crime. Grand Jury first, for an indictment, then an appearance date will be set for a plea. That's how this works.

[BeyondGeography]

22. Sure, MM

Meantime, Bannon’s contempt vote was less than a month ago and many well-informed people here said the indictment could take up to a year. I’ll take that as a sign that public pressure matters.

[MineralMan]

24. Well, there was going to be a grand jury, for sure.

That takes time for a jury to be impaneled and hear evidence. The timing seems about right for that process.

Many people were speculating wildly about this, and some didn't even take the process into consideration.

Some people, however, said that patience would be needed. Those people were correct. They understood the process involved.

[Hortensis]

50. Sure, and with the enormity of what's at stake, the chances that

the DoJ would be muscled by hostile elements into taking any steps before they're ready are not good.

Many here don't seem to realize that their fears and tendencies to distrust are being very actively stirred up by and to benefit the RW traitors. Not to force the DoJ to go after themselves , but to breed distrust and discontent against Democrats and ultimately to discourage voting.

The same techniques that worked so dreadfully well on the right.

[MineralMan]

19. It should, but I don't expect it to.

People don't understand the process, apparently. Indictment by a grand jury comes before charges are filed. They probably won't arrest Bannon, either, since it is not a violent crime. He'll have to appear to plead before a federal magistrate and things will go from there.

[Disaffected]

20. Nah.

[Joinfortmill]

33. 👍

[Jedi Guy]

54. I hope so. The constant kvetching was getting to be a bit much.

Garland has been in office for what, 8 months now? People don't seem to understand how long judicial processes take, thanks to legal TV shows.

[Tommymac]

77. All overt the land, not just this website.

Common folk at my neighborhood bar, supermarket, hair saloon and McDonald's have been asking the same damn thing...I DO believe public pressure IS effective when applied in a respectful, reality based way.

MSNBC and CNN have also been putting the pressure on - the latter goes over the top at times to be sure.

Mainstream twitterites have been pressuring too. Anyone who belittles this internet pressure is years behind the times.

Democratic office holders need to have their feet warmed by the fire at times too. Not in a bad way, always reality based, but at times they need to be held accountable just as much as the Rethugs do. Hell, the moderate/conservative members here constantly rag AOC and the Squad, and I (for one) constantly rag Manchin and Sinema. Nothing at all wrong with that as long as things are kept respectful and based on Reality.

I am proud I have been intelligently pressuring the AG. And I will continue to do so until I feel Justice has been served.

[malaise]

76. We always knew

[Botany]

10. Would he have been indicted by a grand jury that was impaneled by a US Attorney working for the DoJ?

If so that is bad news all of those 1/6/21 shits.

"Lock em up."

[Carlitos Brigante]

11. Oh no! Now he may actually have to shower. You don't want to make a

bad impression on your first day in......

[greenjar_01]

12. Mark Meadows gonna be like "er...dur...er...what I had meant was...er...dur"

[Joinfortmill]

32. 👍

[wnylib]

73. Meadows will appeal to SCOTUS

because he was on TFG's staff at the time of the insurrection and hopes that executive privilege will protect him.

Bannnon's claim of executive privilege is empty because he was not on TFG's staff at the time. I expect, though, that Bannon will try to claim that he was an "advisor" and should be covered by executive privilege. So he might also appeal to SCOTUS.

This is just the beginning. But it does demonstrate that Garland WAS doing something while several DU posters here claimed to know that he wasn't. The general public is not always privy to what goes on in investigations and preparation for prosecution.

[Etherealoc1]

14. About time!!

[Devil Child]

15. Good news!!

[irisblue]

17. 4pm, CNN.com

(CNN)A federal grand jury has returned an indictment against former Trump adviser Steve Bannon for contempt of Congress, the Justice Department announced Friday.

[moondust]

18. Good.

Although Pete Williams on MSNBC says the record on convictions for Contempt of Congress is not so good. Plus even if he is convicted on these two counts of Contempt of Congress he will still not have to testify.

[PCIntern]

39. Fucking Pete Williams

Wasn’t he spokesman for some giant asshole at one time?

[moondust]

44. ???

He may have a bias but I don't know that he would have the latitude to fudge the facts on something like this.

[PCIntern]

48. I didn't say he was lying.

He always manages to be the doomsayer with Dems and cheerleader for Rethugs. It’s subtle but present.

[calimary]

23. YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES!

Did I say “YES!”?

Answer! YYYEEEEEEEEEESSSSS!!!!!!

[scipan]

25. Great news!!!! I hope they have people watching him

so he doesn’t try to flee the country or anything.

Thank you Merrick Garland you finally came through.

[CanonRay]

26. I take back every gripe about Garland

[triron]

65. Reconsidering anyway. Have a ways to go.

[70sEraVet]

27. Great new slogan: "Making Subpoenas Great Again!"

[Joinfortmill]

31. 👍

[Silent3]

28. Great news! I figured that before this could happen, we'd have heard about the grand jury...

...being convened first. I know that grand jury proceedings themselves are kept private, but I didn't know the grand jury could act before we even knew it existed like this.

A most pleasant surprise!

[Joinfortmill]

29. Happy 💃

[peggysue2]

30. Garland and his team of prosecutors . . .

Must feel confident that they've got this sucker, that they've crossed all the t's and dotted all the i's.

This will also be a clear and loud signal to Meadows and the rest:

We. Are. Not. F*cking. Around.

Hallelujah!

[moondust]

34. Has TFG issued a pardon yet?

[Kingofalldems]

35. But but the Dems are weak and

Trump always wins and stuff.....

[Volaris]

36. GOOD. there is very little weaseling ones way out of a Grand Jury indictment,

Especially at the federal level.
Bannon will now face a definitive date (from the federal judicary, mind you) to show up and answer questions (ON CAMERA, if the 1/6 panel is serious...hint, he wont lol) OR he can be arrested for ignoring said Grand Jury instructions.

I've been reluctant to bash Garland, on the premise that he knows how this shit NEEDS to work, in order to be EFFECTIVE.

While I wait for a final outcome, I'll admit I'll be willing to eat a lot of crow if I'm wrong.

[lindysalsagal]

37. Every step is a nail in tfg's coffin, preventing a future potus run.

Something to celebrate.

[Xolodno]

38. However....

...because its an administrative type of crime, the most he could get is a year and fined. Fairly sure he won't get the max.

And that still does not compel him to testify in Congress.

I guess they could subpoena him again and he might show up. But plea the 5th all the way through.

So yes, this is satisfying, but he's not going to be in jail for 20 to life. Unless of course, he gets indicted on other crimes.

[SCantiGOP]

45. Has Trump pardoned him yet?

All he needs to do is send an email and have someone print it out on a paper that says that he used to be President.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

46. So does this mean he's actually going to be arrested?

Go to jail? Brought to trial?

Count me as one of the cynics here.

[Vinca]

51. He's going to turn himself in Monday and have a court appearance.

Then he'll go to trial unless he decides to be responsible for a change.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

53. What exactly do you mean by

Then he'll go to trial unless he decides to be responsible for a change.? He can weasel out of a trial, and so essentially face no consequences for his actions? If that's the case, then my continued cynicism seems justified.

[Vinca]

56. I would suspect charges might be dropped if he produces what he's supposed to produce and

appear and answer questions as he is supposed to do. He probably won't though.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

58. Thank you.

I appreciate that clarification.

[Jon King]

62. Of course he won't cooperate, he is a right wing god now.

Why would he cooperate? Some time in a minimum security prison in exchange for coming out and making millions from MAGA donors, TV shows, book deals. He would be dumb to cooperate in the grand scheme of MAGA world.

[Ohioboy]

47. Good News!

[Marius25]

49. All the more reason to stop Trump from winning 2024.

Otherwise Bannon will get another pardon.

[gab13by13]

55. Stop the bickering,

This is a happy day, our team, (justice) hit a home run. We are only in the 4th inning but we have momentum.

Bannon will turn himself in Monday, put a freaking ankle bracelet on him, or an orange suit.

One good thing about taking this long, according to experts, Garland has all of the i's dotted and the t's crossed, he will claim that DOJ is ready for the trial, now. Let's do this and move on to Clark and Meadows.

[piddyprints]

57. Yes!!!!!

[Mr. Ected]

59. Let me be the first to admit that my lack of trust in Garland was unmerited

If this is indeed the case.

[Jon King]

60. Bannon wants this, he will be rich beyond belief after a year.

He has no problem with this. He can only go to jail for up to a year, will likely be less than that. He is an absolute right wing hero now. He keeps his mouth shut, serves time in a minimum security prison, comes out to riches, book deals, conventions, TV shows.

[UCmeNdc]

61. K&R

[NurseJackie]

63. All in good time...

[babylonsister]

79. Hahaha! nt

[scarytomcat]

64. put him in the DC jail

rats and rats with rats

[Jon King]

66. Sorry, he would go to a club Fed.

He will go to a minimum security Fed prison, more like a camp. He has to be treated like a non violent offender.

We wish this was something but Bannon will gladly serve his time so he becomes a MAGA hero. He will make millions upon his release and he knows it.

[ecstatic]

82. I don't care. As long as he serves some time behind bars

And the rest of the conspirators need to be locked up too. I don't care how fancy the facility is. Just lock them all up.

[monkeyman1]

67. merry Christmas " Steve'y ", ------ " next contestant" please !!!

[Jon King]

69. Next contestant to be a MAGA rich hero??

How do folks not get this? Already millions have been donated by MAGAs foe the legal defense. None of these people will cooperate. They will serve any time they get and then do appearances and speeches and work at Trump properties, etc.

The commission will not get one single thing out of any of them. Not cooperating and doing some jail time will make them MAGA gods and they will be rich as a result.

These people do not live in our world.

[monkeyman1]

72. I hope this is just the beginning of a long list of contestants???????

[ShazzieB]

74. Do you think the DOJ shouldn't have bothered to indict him?

I hope not, but it sure sounds like that's what you're implying.

Personally, I am happy he has been indicted. If nothing else, it'll sense a message to all the others who are thinking of ignoring the congressional subpoenas. I doubt that all of them will be as blasé about the prospect of a jail sentence as Bannon or as interested in being RW celebrities.

Not to indict Bannon, otoh, would send a message that thd subpoenas are meaningless and nobody needs to pay any attention to them. That would be a very bad message, which is why this is an extremely important development, regardless of how Bannon responds.

[electric_blue68]

68. Step by step annnnnd... blamo!

Woooooo.

Cameras on "GO!" for Monday Morning. 👍😄

[Jon King]

70. Uggh, us Dems just do not get them even a little bit!

I give up. How do you folks not see this is exactly what they want? Bannon is a right wing MAGA god right now. He already has raked in tons of cash for his legal defense. He will not cooperate and serve his time. He will then do appearances and speeches and be a very wealthy man.

This is EXACTLY what he wants. He could care less if he goes to a Fed camp for a while. It just makes him a bigger hero to these MAGAs.

[Wednesdays]

78. You'd rather he not be indicted?

[Scrivener7]

80. This is a ridiculous argument. The Rule of Law is at stake.

This is the first positive step to restoring it after it has been plundered without ramifications for 5 years.

There's a long way to go, but I am joyful about the crow pie I am eating.

[Dark n Stormy Knight]

85. True. But he was already a hero to TFG's death cult.

Already bilking them for bushels of ca$h. But he can't be allowed to get away with his ludicrous "executive privelege" claim.

[paleotn]

71. I stand corrected....

and my faith in our Justice Dept. is renewed.

[Blue Owl]

75. K&R

[Habitation]

84. Create your own Steve Bannon action figure

[Vinca]

89. That's Steve AFTER he's cleaned himself up.

[Pepsidog]

86. Merry Bannon Indictment Day Everyone!!

[twodogsbarking]

87. News people can't stop smiling as they report.

'cept for FOX

[Smackdown2019]

88. If convicted of a felony

They are not allowed to vote..... yuppie!