Contempt trial for ex-Trump adviser Steve Bannon to begin

The contempt trial for former Trump White House strategist Steve Bannon begins Monday with the jury selection in a Washington, D.C., federal court.

Bannon faces contempt charges in connection with defying a Jan. 6 committee subpoena over executive privilege concerns, according to the Associated Press.

Former President Trump wrote a letter published last week stating that he would waive executive privilege to allow Bannon to testify to the Democrat-led House committee investigating the Jan. 6 Capitol riot. 

U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols last week refused Bannon's request to have the trial delayed. However, Nichols appeared to be open to letters about Trump waiving his privilege and Bannon's offer to cooperate with the committee being referenced at the trial.

Trump's letter may help Bannon's defense during the criminal trial. The former White House adviser maintained that because of executive privilege, he cannot be prosecuted.

Bannon was indicted in November 2021 on two counts of contempt of Congress. Each charge carries a sentence of 30 days to one year behind bars.