'He Has Expressed No Remorse': Former Trump Strategist Steve Bannon Sentenced to Four Months in Jail

[swag]

Source: Law and Crime

‘He Has Expressed No Remorse’: Former Trump Strategist Steve Bannon Sentenced to Four Months in Jail for Contempt of Congress



Former President Donald Trump’s ex-chief strategist Steve Bannon received a four-month sentence on Friday for contempt of Congress.

“Respect for Congress is of course an important piece of our Constitutional system,” U.S. District Judge Carl J. Nichols, a Trump appointee, noted, also imposing a $6,500 fine.

Earlier in the proceedings, Nichols said of Bannon: “He has expressed no remorse for his actions.”

Bannon, for his part, declined to speak in court.

Read more: https://lawandcrime.com/jan-6-committee/he-has-expressed-no-remorse-former-trump-strategist-steve-bannon-sentenced-to-four-months-in-jail-for-contempt-of-congress/

[hlthe2b]

1. Free on appeal, however. Damn.

[William769]

19. ...

[SheltieLover]

25. Of course.

Can't offend those who are:
Caucasian
With a penis
And money.

[live love laugh]

59. It's a beginning... his next crime won't be taken as lightly.

[swag]

2. Judge Nichols releases Bannon and finds he shouldn't serve his sentence before appeal is resolved

Link to tweet

[Ponietz]

11. The judge didn't have the guts to impose the sentence

Releasing him on bail pending appeal is a professional courtesy not afforded to other defendants. Appeal what? The guy was found to be in contempt. Open, shut, cut, dry. Contemptuous persons go to jail immediately upon conviction in a nation of laws.

[FBaggins]

22. It doesn't have a thing to do with "guts"

And, no, other defendants in a similar situation would get exactly the same treatment.

Appeals take months (by which time the sentence will have been served). No judge would effectively remove the right to appeal a conviction (and if one tried, the court above would smack them down).

[Hortensis]

29. Good explanation. Thanks. Whether release is allowed pending appeal

can also vary according to such things as the type of offence and length of sentence -- and state law. Some states don't allow it at all.

Ponietz, I want the guy locked away until he's so old he thinks cell phones are something to eat. For the good of society. But the crime he was charged with is a misdemeanor, with maximum sentence of a year, qualifying for release pending appeal In accordance with the law.

In a year or so he'll go on trial in NY state for defrauding donors to his wall scam, money laundering, etc, and tRump can't pardon him this time.

[Ponietz]

46. A misdemeanor for his role in a treasonous scheme to stage a coup

a misdemeanor for aiding and abetting traitors.

[Hortensis]

64. You implied yourself you expect this to be a "nation of laws."

That's not the same as the most passionately right (!) people yelling "lock her or him up" getting their way.

Is this all we need in this situation? No. But at least it is our legal system working for what it was designed. Obviously, it is not up to the task of dealing with the NEW massive, widespread misuse of the legal system itself to corrupt government funtions and even take whole nations over.

Btw, that's a new thing in nations around the planet, not just ours. Illegal means, like violence, fail more often than they succeed, but the bad guys have learned that subverting governments "legally" is successful far more often.

Another example of it here is the antidemocracy 2016 attempt to get the Democratic Party superdelegates to give the presidential nomination to the candidate who lost (!) the popular vote. Significantly, it failed spectacularly because it took place within the Democratic Party -- The role of Democratic superdelegates is to PROTECT Democratic Party elections from illicit, unrepresentative maneuvers, and they did, unanimously (except for the losing candidate, who was also a superdelegate).

This is about what's going on:

The World Is Experiencing a New Form of Autocracy
Today’s authoritarians use legal measures to subvert constitutional constraints on their power.

https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2020/03/new-authoritarianism/607045/

[Ponietz]

67. I think we're making the same point but

FBaggins was flat wrong about criminal appellate law.

The traitors have shielded themselves to large degree from meaningful consequences with their Wrays, Cannons, etc.

Only a fraction, minuscule, remain free on bail pending appeal. They must show a colorable appellate issue first to the trial judge. The public’s right to peace and order supercede a defendant’s rights following conviction. Otherwise, all those J6 fools would still be loose.

[Hortensis]

68. I am with you that Bannon is a threat to society.

These scoundrels are giving us a master course on where the law needs to be tightened up. I frankly don’t know if that would change this handling or not. Except that longer sentences for seditious behaviors and laws that enable them to be prosecuted properly are clearly called for.

I’ve always felt that public servants should be afraid to cross the electorate and that punishment should be proportional to the great potential harm to society and betrayal of duty.

[Ponietz]

39. He's a repeat offender

and no constitutional right to release pending appeal exists. There is no legitimate appellate issue here. Professional courtesy when a D can’t even produce a meritorious issue for appeal.

[FBaggins]

47. He is? The DOJ failed to note that in their sentencing recommendation

Perhaps you're aware of a conviction that they hadn't heard of?

no constitutional right to release pending appeal exists.

I have no idea why you think there would need to be. It's simply the normal process. A court that tries to effectively moot an appeal by requiring a sentence that will end before the higher court can hear the appeal is going to get overturned. If it were a violent offense that would be different... but a nonviolent misdemeanor is not going to result in being held pending appeal.

But feel free to cite some contrary examples since you think anyone else would get different treatment.

There is no legitimate appellate issue here.

That isn't how the law works.

[Ponietz]

54. Strident argument you make

The vast majority of convicted defendants in my state start their sentence. A Defendant must show a legitimate appellate issue to continue on bail following conviction. You are wrong. Google “is there a constitutional right to release pending appeal” and get back to me. Or not.


[https://www.google.com/search?q=is%20there%20a%20constitutional%20right%20to%20release%20pending%20appeal&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-b-1-m|

[underpants]

3. I'll take that.

The fine seems light but okay. As long as he actually does time I’m fine with that.

[Bayard]

4. A lot can happen in 4 months in prison......

[AZSkiffyGeek]

7. Haven't you heard?

It's a slap on the wrist! Anyone can do that standing on their heads! It's Club Fed!

[maxsolomon]

14. Like what?

Rehabilitation?

[Bayard]

60. I was thinking more in terms of slipping in the shower

But maybe he'll have MAGAt bodyguards.

[maxsolomon]

62. So, extrajudicial punishment.

Physical assault.

Never change, DU!

[former9thward]

16. Like what?

[LisaM]

28. Martha Stewart lost weight and got a new poncho pattern.

I like how she decided not to waste time on appeals and just went and did her time. I can't see Bannon coming out of jail rocking a poncho his fellow inmates made him out of good will, much less being 20 pounds thinner.

[dchill]

5. "Bannon, for his part, declined to speak in court."

Saving it for the podcast? Bye, Steve.

[MLAA]

6. Excellent. That will leave a mark on this traitorous loudmouth.

The lack of access to Twitter, radio, podcastset al to pontificate will hurt more than anything I expect.

[calimary]

40. It's not NEARLY enough.

[MLAA]

41. True, but it is something.

[larrymoeT]

8. Why only 4 months?

Looks like contempt of court isn't a big deal to our justice system.

[comradebillyboy]

9. Six months is the maximum allowed.

[GB_RN]

15. Each Charge Of Contempt Carries A Max Of...

One year in jail and a $100,000 fine. The DOJ asked for 6 months and the max $200k (since he was convicted on both charges). They got most of what they wanted in jail time, but the judge did a slap on the wrist for the fine.

Letting him out while he appeals is a privilege that only those with money get, too.

Hopefully, NY State will get to his fraud trial soon. If convicted there, he will face major jail time.

ETA: if the Wikipedia page doesn’t cut it for you, here’s the relevant information from Findlaw:

Penalties for violations (a misdemeanor) include a fine of up to $100,000 and a jail term of one to 12 months, which requires prosecution by the Department of Justice (DOJ) or the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia.

[getagrip_already]

13. first time offense, non-violent crime, between the min sentence and doj ask......

But I get it. He should have gotten the doj rec at the very least. And $6500 doesn't even court costs.

It should be a lot harsher, but it could have been a lot lighter also.

[BumRushDaShow]

66. "Looks like contempt of court isn't a big deal to our justice system."

"Congress" is NOT a "court". This is for "Contempt of Congress".

[JohnSJ]

10. Depends where he will serve his sentence

[FakeNoose]

12. It would have been better to shut down his podcast

Take away his megaphone and that guy can stay out of jail, for all I care. He does more damage talking to the MAGAts on his podcast. The judge should have shut him down indefinitely, and it would have been a fair sentence.

[FBaggins]

24. I get the inclination... but would you want to live in that world?

I don't mean one in which this guy loses his audience... I mean one in which a judge can remove someone's free speech rights because of an unrelated misdemeanor?

There are far too many MAGA judges out there for me to be comfortable giving judges that power.

[slightlv]

26. and you don't think

they'll do it to us if they get back in power... law or no law? You've got much higher hopes for these people governing than I do.

[FBaggins]

27. This judge IS a Trump appointee

The "in power" that you're talking about already exists.

[FakeNoose]

58. Well Chump is permanently banned from Twitter so how would that be different?

... I hope Chump never gets the idea to have his own podcast.

[FBaggins]

61. He's banned from speaking at my house as well

But neither of us is the US Government.

There would be no problem with whoever produced or markets or buys his podcast from deciding to back out of that relationship - but no court can order it as punishment for something unrelated.

[jmowreader]

36. The only constitutional way to temporarily shut it down is jail

You know they’re not going to let him set up a podcast studio in jail.

[yaesu]

17. Slap on the wrist country club time. nt

[Mopar151]

52. With NO liquor.......

Or microphones, or TV cameras! They got any Federal lockups in West by God Virginia?

[Aerator]

18. Any idea how long a appeal will take ?

[gab13by13]

38. Until a Magat becomes president to pardon him again.

[Wicked Blue]

20. Remorse means nothing to a sociopath nt

[Marthe48]

21. If he'd been remorseful

judge would probably let him off with a warning.

But bannon would have lo$t $ome of hi$ follower$, and he relie$ on them for hi$ income.

[fightforfreedom]

23. I was hoping for more time, however

This is just the beginning of what is coming Stinky Mans way. He is facing a trial in NY for serious felonies.

[EndlessWire]

30. He got off light

For lying to the FBI on insider trading, Martha got:

"The conviction resulted in a five-month prison sentence, followed by five months of house arrest and two years of probation. Stewart maintained she was innocent but was confined to the minimum security Alderson Federal Prison Camp, West Virginia in October 2004." She was also fined $30,000. That was more back then than $6,500 today.

So, he got off easy. Not sure why contempt of Congress is worth less than insider trading. I think he has some kind of moral victory here, despite two counts of despicable behavior. And, he's out for Midterms.

[Alien Life Form]

31. Prepare for Civil war

Bannon and Trump are both making threats.. He is what Bannon said after the sentencing..

“On Nov. 8, on Nov. 8, there’s going to (be) judgment on the illegitimate Biden regime … and quite frankly, Nancy Pelosi and the entire (House Jan. 6) committee,” he added.

Bannon said voters are “weighing and measuring” the Justice Department and committee members’ actions, “and they will vote on Nov. 8.”

[Rebl2]

32. Doubt he

will ever serve any time.

[bearsfootball516]

33. Glad he's getting time, but 4 months is practically nothing.

That will go by in the blink of an eye.

[grantcart]

43. He still faces major fraud trial in NY

[ancianita]

35. The public scofflaw will appeal but lose. Still. His punishment will only harden his scofflaw ways.

Anything he gets won't be enough. So fuck Bannon forever.

[SergeStorms]

37. We can always hope for....

an epiphany from Mr. Bannon while he serves his time (if he serves any time at all), but hope in one hand and shit in the other, then see which hand fills up first.

[calimary]

55. Nope. I SERIOUSLY doubt it, with him.

Considering the kind of individual we’re talking about, I’d expect nothing but the worst of him. Whichever way he’d react and then respond, I’d expect it to be the bad way.

Four short months would do nothing but confirm and solidify his sense of righteous indignation and its companion, the wish or determination to punish, to seek and implement revenge.

I’d say it’d harden his heart if he had one.

[SergeStorms]

57. "If he had one".

You hit the nail on the head there!

Bannon is one soulless asshole. Are some people just born pure evil, or is it learned behavior? 🤔 I think Bannon was born evil, then dedicated his life to perfecting his "craft".

[Pepsidog]

42. 6 months then. WTF

[malthaussen]

44. "He's expressed no remorse, but Ima going to let him off easy anyway."

And then brag about how tough I was.

-- Mal

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

45. Enjoy your stay Bannon

[FredGarvin]

50. Bannon wont spend a day in jail

Sadly

[Mysterian]

70. So, you think the appeals court will throw out his jail sentence?

Interesting. Do you have any particular facts to back up that theory?

[FredGarvin]

48. Another Bannon Fundraiser

Bannon isnt going to jail.

He is going to raise millions of dollars with his social media accounts with this decision.

The dude has nothing to worry about.

A huge win for him and his friends.

[Joinfortmill]

49. Bannon is well educated. He was one of the master minds

There will be more coming out about this traitor.

[FredGarvin]

51. He should be in jail

[Midnight Writer]

53. Susan McDougal.

[Turbineguy]

56. People have been shot for less.

[Initech]

63. What a fucking psychopath.

[WVreaper]

65. Here's hoping that you drop your soap in the shower

Bend over darling!

[Evolve Dammit]

69. He has achieved his martyrdom he aspired to. Grift on, traitor. n/t

[msfiddlestix]

71. I feel so much better, he's not even serving a single hour of incarceration, and that my dear

'comrades' is likely going to be the reality we need to accept down the road of appeal(s).

and that reality likely includes the ONE we really want to see behind bars for life.

[Brainfodder]

72. Only 4 months is a bit LIGHT!

Priceless though if he dies there.

[Alien Life Form]

73. Four years would have been better