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On the way to court in Washington: Steve Bannon
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MICHAEL REYNOLDS/EPO
Steve Bannon faces trial for contempt of Congress.
The trial against the 68-year-old began with jury selection in a Washington court, as reported by the Washington Post and CNN, among others.
The former chief strategist of ex-President Donald Trump had previously failed in an attempt to postpone the start of the trial until October.
He had recently promised to testify before the committee on the attack on the US Capitol - albeit under conditions.
Bannon was charged with contempt of Congress last November.
The reason: He had ignored a summons from the investigative committee, which is examining what happened around January 6, 2021.
He was also accused of failing to provide requested documents.
The judge released Bannon conditionally pending a verdict.
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Steve Bannon is one of the most influential voices among the ultraconservatives
On January 6, 2021, Trump supporters violently stormed the seat of parliament in the capital Washington.
Congress met there to certify the victory of Trump's Democratic challenger Joe Biden in the previous presidential election.
Five people were killed in the riots, including a police officer.
Trump had recently incited his supporters at a rally that his election victory had been stolen.
The committee is investigating the attack.
Bannon is a co-founder of the right-wing internet platform »Breitbart« and is one of the most influential voices in the ultra-conservative camp of US politics.
The 68-year-old is credited with playing a key role in Trump's surprising success at the time.
Mother Jones magazine recently released an audio file on which Bannon is said to be heard a few days before the 2020 presidential election.
“What Trump will do is declare victory.
Right?
He will announce victory.
But that doesn't mean he's a winner," Bannon reportedly said.
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