Bannon defense lawyers now present case, in contempt trial for former Trump White House adviser

The contempt of Congress trial for Steve Bannon resumes Thursday with the defense team for the Trump White House adviser presenting its case.

The prosecution team rested its case Wednesday after two days, in a federal court in Washington, D.C.

Bannon faces federal charges for allegedly having ignored subpoenas from the Democrat-led House committee investigation the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot.

The thrust of his defense team's argument has thus far been that its client was negotiating with the committee about complying with two subpoenas – one on providing a deposition and the other of providing documents – when forced into court.

Justice Department prosecutors said – and called witnesses to say Bannon – knew about the deadlines to comply with the subpoenas and willingly ignore them.  

It is unclear whether Bannon, 68, will take the stand or who the defense might call as witnesses, according to the Associated Press.

Bannon was indicted in November on two counts of criminal contempt of Congress, a month after the Justice Department received the House panel’s referral.

In a departure from House norms, Speaker Nancy Pelosi last year rejected two of the five House Republican picks for the panel, prompting GOP leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) to pull all five of his party's choices from the committee. Pelosi then handpicked two anti-Trump Republicans to join the seven Democrats on the committee.

Each count carries a minimum of 30 days of jail and as long as a year behind bars upon conviction, the wire service also reports.