Steve Bannon and his attorneys are seeking to delay his trial regarding his contempt of Congress charges.
The filing stated, “Defendant Stephen K. Bannon, by and through his undersigned counsel, respectfully moves pursuant to the Fifth and Sixth Amendments to the United States Constitution for a continuance of the trial in this matter, until a date after October 15, 2022, that is convenient for the Court.”
Bannon, who was Donald Trump‘s one-time White House adviser and campaign manager, claimed the January 6 hearings had created a “saturation of information” that would create an unfair trial. Bannon’s attorneys Evan Corcoran, David Schoen and Robert Costello argue that the jury would not be impartial and would be unable to take on evidence supporting Bannon’s side.
“Select Committee members have made inflammatory remarks about the culpability of President Trump and his closest advisers, including Mr. Bannon, and have broadcast to millions of people their purported ‘findings’ on issues that may prejudice the minds of jurors in this case,” the filing said. “Those broadcasts have been repackaged and re-broadcast in countless forms, creating a saturation of the information sources available to Washington, D.C. residents. Under the circumstances, a continuance is warranted – to allow the effects of the Select Committee hearing coverage a chance to subside.”
Bannon’s counsel said they were unaware of the commission’s live hearings at the time of his indictment and trial appointment.
The motion was filed on June 29 and the investigators have yet to accept or deny the filing.
Bannon was indicted on two counts of contempt of Congress after failing to provide information regarding the Capitol riots to the House Committee.
