Glenn Kirschner: Bannon to Appear Before Congress on 10/14. When he doesn’t show, Congress Should Use Contempt x 2

Trump and his cronies, enablers etc need to be held to account in a court of law

October 14,2021

Steve Bannon has indicated that he intends to defy the congressional subpoena directing him to appear for testimony on October 14. Members of Congress have said they “will” refer him to the Department of Justice for criminal prosecution. That is an import step toward accountability for his crime of contempt of congress. BUT – Congress should also use its inherent power of contempt to compel Bannon’s testimony in real time.

This video explores the novel concept of Congress using a legal “belt-and-suspenders” approach to enforcing its subpoenas: both referring Bannon for prosecution to punish him for his crime AND simultaneously using its inherent power of contempt to obtain the testimony the select committee needs to make progress in its investigation into the insurrection.

About Glenn Kirschner

Glenn Kirschner brings analysis and insight to legal issues of the day, drawing from his 30 years as a federal prosecutor, homicide prosecutor and Army JAG. Glenn is an NBC News and MSNBC legal analyst and teaches criminal law at George Washington University.