Trump ally Steve Bannon surrenders to prison to start 4-month sentence on contempt charges

Bannon, who was jailed for refusing to cooperate with January 6 Capitol attack investigation, told reporters he is a ‘political prisoner’

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Steve Bannon, centre, speaks to the media as he reports to prison in Danbury, Connecticut, US on Monday. Photo: EPA-EFE

Published: 3:37am, 2 Jul 2024

Long-time Trump ally Steve Bannon was taken into custody on Monday after surrendering at a federal prison to begin a four-month sentence on contempt charges for defying a subpoena in the congressional investigation into the US Capitol attack.

Bannon arrived at the Federal Correctional Institution in Danbury, Connecticut, around noon and was formally taken into federal custody, the Bureau of Prisons said.

Speaking to reporters, Bannon called himself a “political prisoner”, said former President Donald Trump was “very supportive” of him and slammed Democrats, including Attorney General Merrick Garland.

“I am proud of going to prison,” Bannon said, adding he was “standing up to the Garland corrupt DOJ.”

Bannon speaks to the media in Danbury, Connecticut on Monday. Photo: Reuters

Just before he arrived to surrender, a small group of supporters gathered on the side of the road outside the prison. They cheered as Bannon and Republican congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia spoke during a news conference, holding up flags and signs supporting Bannon as a small group of protesters shouted: “Lock him up!” and “traitor!”

The crowd was rowdy, often breaking into chants of, “USA!” A supporter of US President Joe Biden taunted Bannon by yelling “traitor” while Trump supporters tried to shout her down. Police had to stop traffic to allow the black SUV that Bannon was travelling in to pull out of a church car park where Bannon’s supporters had gathered.