Steve Bannon, an influential ally of Donald Trump, reported to prison on Monday, July 1, to begin serving a four-month sentence for defying a congressional subpoena issued by the committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol attack.
Bannon arrived at a low-security federal prison in Danbury, Connecticut, where he spoke to reporters amidst a cheering group of supporters.
Calling himself a “political prisoner,” Bannon asserted that his right-wing populist followers would amplify his message during his incarceration.
“I’m proud of going to prison today,” Bannon declared. “I have not only no regrets, I’m proud of what I did.”
Following his remarks to the media, Bannon boarded a dark-colored SUV that entered the prison complex.
His sentence could potentially extend close to Election Day, as federal inmates lack access to the internet and social media, posing a challenge for Bannon to connect with his audience of the “War Room” podcast.
Bannon’s decision to report to prison followed a failed attempt to delay his sentence, with the Supreme Court rejecting his plea while he continues to pursue appeals against his conviction.
Convicted in 2022 on two misdemeanor counts of contempt of Congress, Bannon refused to comply with a Democratic-led House of Representatives committee’s requests for documents and testimony during their investigation into the Capitol riot by Trump supporters.
