The Supreme Court rejected Trump ally Steve Bannon’s request to postpone his prison sentence

WASHINGTON — Supreme Court on Friday rejected a request to delay the prison sentence for longtime Trump ally Steve Bannon, appealing his conviction for defying a subpoena in Congress’ investigation of the Capitol insurrection.

Bannon filed an appeal after a judge ordered him to report to prison on July 1 for a four-month sentence for ignoring a subpoena from the House investigating committee January 6, 2021 attackThe court previously rejected a similar request from another Trump associate.

The court dismissed it without explanation, as is typical. No objections were recorded.

Defense attorneys have argued that the case raises issues that should be examined by the Supreme Court, including Bannon’s previous lawyer’s belief that the subpoena was invalid because former President Donald Trump asserted executive privilege. But prosecutors say Bannon left the White House years earlier and Trump never invoked executive privilege before the committee.

Jury found Bannon guilty nearly two years ago for two counts of contempt of Congress: the first for refusing to appear at a House impeachment hearing on January 6, and the second for refusing to provide documents related to his involvement in the former Republican president’s efforts to overturn his 2020 election loss to Democrat Joe Biden.

U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols allowed Bannon to remain free pending an appeal, but recently ordered him to report to prison after an appeals court panel met upheld his convictions for contempt of Congress. Panel later He rejected Bannon’s offer to avoid going to jail.

Bannon is expected to appeal the ruling to the full appeals court, and House Republican leaders have expressed support for stepping in to claim that the Jan. 6 commission was improperly formed, effectively attempting to declare the subpoena Bannon received illegal.

Trump’s Next Advisor, Trade Advisor Peter Navarrowas also convicted of contempt of Congress. He reported to prison in March to serve a four-month sentence after the Supreme Court rejected his bid to defer sentencing.

Bannon also faces criminal charges in a New York state court, alleging that he defrauded donors who gave money to build the wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. Bannon has pleaded not guilty to money laundering, conspiracy, fraud and other charges, and his trial has been postponed until at least the end of September.