Steve Bannon, a prominent ally of former President Donald Trump, has been ordered to begin serving a four-month prison sentence by July 1, following a federal judge's ruling on Thursday.

This decision stems from Bannon's conviction for defying a subpoena issued by the House committee investigating the January 6 Capitol insurrection, AP News reports.

US District Judge Carl Nichols in Washington granted the Justice Department's request to enforce Bannon's prison term following a federal appeals court upheld his contempt of Congress conviction.

Despite Bannon's expected appeal, Judge Nichols determined that the legal grounds for delaying his sentence no longer apply.

Outside the courthouse, Bannon expressed defiance, stating he would pursue legal avenues up to the Supreme Court to challenge his conviction.

He accused the Justice Department of attempting to silence conservative voices and vowed to continue fighting.

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Court Decision and Immediate Reaction

Judge Nichols' ruling mandates Donald Trump former ally Bannon's surrender to prison by July 1, denying further delay pending his appeal.

Steve Bannon's attorney, David Schoen, argued for his client's continued freedom until all legal challenges are exhausted, citing unresolved constitutional issues.

The judge, however, pointed to the appeals court's unanimous rejection of Bannon's legal arguments as justification for lifting the stay on his sentence, according to CNN.

Despite Schoen's vigorous defense, the court maintained its decision, setting the stage for Bannon's imminent incarceration.

Legal and Political Ramifications

The ruling marks a significant legal setback for Bannon, who has maintained his innocence since his 2022 sentence on two counts of contempt of Congress.

His refusal to comply with the House committee's subpoena regarding documents and testimony related to Trump's post-election activities led to his criminal charges.

Bannon's case underscores broader tensions over executive privilege and congressional oversight powers.

His legal team contends he acted in good faith, guided by legal advice regarding the validity of the subpoena and executive privilege claims.

David Schoen, Bannon's attorney, argued vehemently against the court's decision, asserting that Bannon believed he was acting lawfully, Yahoo! News noted.

Schoen criticized the judicial system for disregarding Bannon's interpretation of legal obligations and vowed to pursue all avenues to overturn the conviction.

Judge Nichols defended the court's obligation to uphold legal standards and dismissed Schoen's arguments as insufficient to justify further delay in Bannon's sentence.

The judge emphasized the appellate court's thorough consideration of Bannon's claims, reinforcing the legal basis for enforcing his prison term.

Steve Bannon faces an impending prison sentence following Judge Nichols' order despite ongoing legal challenges.

His conviction for contempt of Congress reflects broader debates over congressional authority and executive privilege.

As Donald Trump former ally Bannon prepares to appeal his case to higher courts, the outcome will likely have lasting implications for both legal precedent and political discourse in the United States.

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This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Ross Key

WATCH: Trump ally Steve Bannon must begin prison sentence by July 1, judge says - From Associated Press