(Washington) American elected officials will vote on Thursday on the initiation of proceedings for obstructing the work of Congress against a close ally of former President Donald Trump, who refuses to participate in the investigations into the assault on the Capitol.
Steve Bannon, 67, was one of the architects of Donald Trump’s successful presidential campaign in 2016.
He did not hold any official function on January 6, but appears to have discussed the protest with the president in the days leading up to it, according to the House of Representatives special committee investigating the role of the former Republican president in the attack. of his supporters against the seat of Congress.
Despite his summons, Mr. Bannon did not appear before elected officials last week.
He is expected to be returned to federal prosecutors by a vote in the House of Representatives. But, even if he is charged, the legal battle could take months or years, potentially derailing the investigation.
Steve Bannon’s testimony is seen as essential, as it is supposed to provide an understanding of what Trump was doing before and during the assault.
“According to published information, Steve Bannon had precise knowledge of the events of January 6 before they happened, played a role in the attack in many ways and was very forthright about it,” said the President. House of Representatives Democrat Nancy Pelosi.
Steve Bannon said Trump’s lawyers advised him not to show up citing the right of presidents to keep certain documents and discussions confidential.
According to the commission, this protection does not apply because Trump is no longer president and has never officially asserted this privilege of the executive.
The 220 Democrats are expected to support the resolution to indict Steve Bannon.
House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy, who initially called for an investigation but spent the following months trying to thwart it, is urging his troops to vote no.