Jan 6 hearing: Will Steve Bannon testify? Bennie Thompson says ‘not yet’

Jan 6 committee chair, Rep Bennie Thompson, upon being asked whether former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon was expected to testify, replied “not yet”, CNN reported. 

The 74-year-old Democrat added Bannon has to first comply with all elements of the subpoena. “In order for us to consider, he has agreed to comply with the items in the subpoena”, Thompson told CNN. 

The American media executive, who served as the CEO of the American far-right news channel Breitbart News, is facing a criminal contempt trial for failing to comply with the initial subpoena sent by the Jan 6 select committee. 

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As per the US Justice Department, Bannon, 68, was indicted on “two counts of contempt of Congress stemming from his failure to comply with a subpoena issued by the House Select Committee investigating the Jan. 6 breach of the U.S. Capitol.” 

Bannon’s argument for refusing to answer the subpoena was the executive privilege which existed when he served on Donald Trump’s staff during the Republican’s time in the White House. 

Jan 6 committee members have argued that executive privilege does not serve as a reason not to comply with a congressional subpoena. 

Trump, however, in a letter to his former chief strategist waived executive privilege. 

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“When you first received the Subpoena to testify and provide documents, I invoked Executive Privilege. However, I watched how unfairly you and others have been treated, having to spend vast amounts of money on legal fees, and all of the trauma you must be going through for the love of your Country, and out of respect for the Office of the President”, Trump wrote, adding, “Therefore, if you reach an agreement on a time and place for your testimony, I will waive Executive Privilege for you, which allows you to go in and testify truthfully and fairly”. 

Since then, Bannon has agreed to testify.