• Video
  • Shop
  • Culture
  • Family
  • Wellness
  • Food
  • Living
  • Style
  • Travel
  • News
  • Book Club
  • Newsletter
  • Privacy Policy
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • Terms of Use
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Contact Us
  • © 2026 ABC News
ABC News

Steve Bannon sentenced to 4 months for contempt, pending appeal

PHOTO: Former Trump White House senior advisor Steve Bannon leaves federal court after being sentenced on Oct. 21, 2022 in Washington.
5:51
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
Steve Bannon sentenced to 4 months, pending appeal
By Katherine Faulders
Last Updated: October 21, 2022, 3:45 PM

Former Trump adviser Steve Bannon was sentenced Friday following his conviction on two counts of criminal contempt of Congress, after he defied a subpoena from the House select committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. He was subpoenaed by the Jan. 6 panel for records and testimony in September of last year. He refused to comply and was found guilty of contempt in July.

Latest headlines:

  • Bannon, defiant, says he will appeal conviction
  • Judge sentences Bannon to 4 months, pending appeal
  • Bannon attorney argues for executive privilege
  • Prosecutor says Bannon 'not above the law'
Here are the latest developments. All times Eastern. Check back for updates.

Oct 21, 2022 3:45 PM

Bannon, defiant, says he will appeal conviction

Speaking to reporters outside the courthouse after receiving his four-month sentence, Bannon said he respected the judge's decision. But he was defiant about his conviction, and his attorney confirmed he would be filing a notice of appeal.

PHOTO: Former Trump White House senior advisor Steve Bannon leaves federal court after being sentenced on Oct. 21, 2022 in Washington.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
Former Trump White House senior advisor Steve Bannon leaves federal court after being sentenced on Oct. 21, 2022 in Washington.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Bannon also attacked the Jan. 6 committee and urged people to vote in the upcoming election.

Protesters nearby chanted "traitor" and "liar" as he spoke.


Oct 21, 2022 3:30 PM

Judge reiterates seriousness of Jan. 6

In sentencing Bannon to four months, Judge Nichols reiterated how serious the events of Jan. 6 were and said the congressional committee has every reason to investigate what happened that day and to prevent anything like it from happening again.

Nichols emphasized that Bannon has not produced a single document or any testimony to the Jan. 6 committee -- nor did he provide a log of documents that he believed to be covered by executive privilege.

However, the judge said the factors in Bannon's favor include that he was taking the advice of counsel, even if it was misguided. Nichols also said the committee did not attempt to sue Bannon to enforce their subpoena.

The four-month sentence is two months shorter than the sentence prosecutors had been seeking.


Oct 21, 2022 3:16 PM

Judge sentences Bannon to 4 months, pending appeal

Steve Bannon has been sentenced to four months in prison and has been ordered to pay a fine of $6,500.

However Judge Nichols said he agreed that Bannon should not have to serve a sentence while he appeals his case, which Bannon has indicated he will do.



Oct 21, 2022 2:57 PM

Bannon attorney argues for executive privilege

Bannon attorney David Schoen took exception to the suggestion that Bannon did not have a legitimate claim of executive privilege when he rejected the committee's subpoena.

In particular, Schoen went after Trump lawyer Justin Clark, who told DOJ investigators in July that at no point did former President Donald Trump ever invoke executive privilege over Bannon's testimony.

"You wouldn't believe a thing he says," Schoen said of Clark, who also contradicted other claims made by Bannon's defense team in their case.


GMA Newsletters

Sign up for our newsletters to get GMA delivered to your inbox every morning!

Up Next in news

PHOTO: Los Angeles City Council member and mayoral candidate Nithya Raman in Los Angeles, May 16, 2026. Spencer Pratt campaigns for mayor in Los Angeles, May 31, 2026. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass speaks to supporters, May 31, 2026, in Venice, Calif.

Karen Bass, Spencer Pratt among those facing off in Los Angeles mayoral race

June 2, 2026
PHOTO: Pattie Gonia performs at the "Save Her! Environmental Drag Show" during Climate Week, Sept. 24, 2024, in New York City.

Drag queen Pattie Gonia calls Patagonia lawsuit attempt to 'erase an activist'

May 30, 2026
PHOTO: Photo illustration of cyber crime through email.

FTC warns about email scam masking as party invitations

May 29, 2026

The latest lifestyle and entertainment news and inspiration for how to live your best life - all from Good Morning America.
  • Contests
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Children’s Online Privacy Policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • About Nielsen Measurement
  • Press
  • Feedback
  • Shop FAQs
  • ABC News
  • ABC
  • All Videos
  • All Topics
  • Sitemap

© 2026 ABC News
  • Privacy Policy— 
  • Your US State Privacy Rights— 
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy— 
  • Interest-Based Ads— 
  • Terms of Use— 
  • Do Not Sell My Info— 
  • Contact Us— 

© 2026 ABC News