Bannon Sentence Upholds Congressional Subpoena Authority – Shows No One is Above the Law

Statement of Aaron Scherb, Common Cause Senior Director of Legislative Affairs

No American is above the law, including former Presidents and their advisors. Steve Bannon learned that today through a jail sentence and a fine for defying a subpoena from the January 6^th Committee.

It is imperative that Congress have subpoena power with teeth in order to fulfill its oversight and investigatory responsibilities. If individuals could defy congressional subpoenas with impunity, our system of checks and balances would break down.

Americans deserve to know the full truth about the planning and execution of the insurrection on January 6, 2021, when a violent, racist, and heavily armed mob attacked the United States Capitol in an attempt to overturn the 2020 election. The January 6th Select Committee has performed vitally important work in unearthing damning evidence against former President Trump and his inner-circle. Subpoenas played a critical role in obtaining the overwhelming evidence presented to the American people.

Subpoenas will continue to be vital to the work of the committee as it completes its investigation and finalizes its report. Today’s sentence will stand as a warning to anyone who might consider defying one of those subpoenas – there will be repercussions.