Posted on 11/30/2021 10:35:49 AM PST by Red Badger
Former advisor to President Trump, Stephen K. Bannon, has filed a motion to the U.S. district court in order for documents related to his contempt of Congress case to be released publicly. The motion was filed in opposition to the court’s protective order for discovery, which currently prevents both the defense and prosecution from releasing evidence or documents to the public.
In a statement provided on behalf of Bannon to the Washington Post, he said, “In the opposition filed today, Mr. Bannon asked the judge to follow the normal process and allow unfettered access to and use of t he documents. Members of the public should make their own independent judgement as to whether the U.S. Department of Justice is committed to a just result based upon all the facts.”
On Nov. 12th, Bannon was indicted by a federal grand jury on two counts of contempt of Congress after failing to appear before the House select committee investigating the events of Jan. 6th. Bannon has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Lawyers for Bannon argued the government has not offered any reason for why the documents being used for his case should be withheld from the public.
“The Government offered no reason why it wanted to limit Mr. Bannon’s attorneys in their use of the documents to prepare a defense,” they further stated to the Washington Post.
Bannon’s legal team have further argued that the case would be more complicated should they agree to the prosecution’s protective order for discovery.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Amanda R. Vaughn said there are “less than 20 documents” to be provided. Evan Concoran, Bannon’s attorney, told reporters that there would likely be a need for the defense to locate more documents and witnesses.
Members of the investigating committee for Jan. 6th said they are interested in questioning Bannon regarding a meeting at the Willard Hotel in Washington D.C.
Earlier this month, it was revealed that the commission fabricated the whereabouts of New York Police Commissioner Bernard Kerik. Kerik and his lawyers from the Parlatore Law Group received a letter from the committee, citing “credible evidence” that he was involved in a meeting at the Willard Hotel on Jan. 5th.
The “evidence” used by the committee was quickly debunked as tollbooth records proved that Kerik was 300 miles away from the Willard on Jan. 5th.
The National Pulse has further revealed that the Jan. 6th Committee Chairman Bennie Thompson has decades-long ties to violent, secessionist groups. Other members of the committee, such as Elaine Luria and Adam Schiff have substantial financial and influential ties to the Chinese Communist Party, respectively.
Prior to entering his plea of not guilty, Bannon stated that his case would be fought publicly on behalf of every American who “likes freedom of speech and liberty,
“Not just Trump people and not just conservatives – every progressive, every liberal in this country that likes freedom of speech and liberty should be fighting for this case. That’s why I’m here today: for everybody. I’m never going to back down.”
“Democracy dies in darkness.”
Huh. So there’s one actually useful purpose for a toll road. Go figure.
DOJ probably has Bannon on double secret probation.
[snip] Earlier this month, it was revealed that the commission fabricated the whereabouts of New York Police Commissioner Bernard Kerik. Kerik and his lawyers from the Parlatore Law Group received a letter from the committee, citing “credible evidence” that he was involved in a meeting at the Willard Hotel on Jan. 5th.
The “evidence” used by the committee was quickly debunked as tollbooth records proved that Kerik was 300 miles away from the Willard on Jan. 5th.
The National Pulse has further revealed that the Jan. 6th Committee Chairman Bennie Thompson has decades-long ties to violent, secessionist groups. Other members of the committee, such as Elaine Luria and Adam Schiff have substantial financial and influential ties to the Chinese Communist Party, respectively. [/snip]
Can Bannon demand to see emails etc. of Pelosi and other members of the committee? If not, why not?
Cameras are everywhere............................
Right to face your accuser.
There is an interesting question whether due process and the Brady Rules etc apply to Congressional hearings/commissions. Maybe they should.
You seem to be knowledgeable about this. What is the bottom line? Is it fundamentally legal to not release the documents, or are they stretching the law?
The DOJ just wants the accusations to be ‘out there’ forever...............
“Yes he can, but they won’t give him anything to ‘leak’........”
Oh c’mon!! Are you telling me his own attorney hasn’t been given a list of the charges against his client?
Charges, yes, but no ‘evidence’....................
Were not the charges his decision to not appear. I don’t believe the “commission” has any power to charge anyone with anything otherwise except to charge them with contempt and ask for enforcement through the DOJ to the court.
Ha, ha.
I’d really like to see that.
Wonder if there is any instant karma for the dimocraps in that?
“Were not the charges his decision to not appear.”
Perhaps I used the wrong term when I said charges. I think Bannon wants the reasons for his being called to testify.
Making public has a timing component. The judge is probably ruling no release until after the trial is concluded.
Gag order rulings are done according to judge-made law. Justice is deemed to be served because the parties have all the evidence. Meanwhile, keeping the public in the dark can be justified on many reasons and pretexts. "pre-trial disclosure poses a substantial likelihood of materially prejudicing the fairness of the proceeding."
The Ghislane Maxwell trial is under a gag order too.
Constitutional Gag Orders Restricting Trial Participants' Speech
Other reasons can be given, such as ongoing, unrelated investigations. IMO, most of the time these gag ruling are what you refer to as "stretching the law." Abuse of power and discretion. Self-serving move by the system, to hide the fact that it is perfectly willing and capable of banana-republic justice. Congress pays the bills.
By hook or crook (definitely crook), they will have their revenge against him for showing the country what a bunch of lazy, corrupt imbeciles they really are.
It this to be a public trial or a star chamber? Silly me to ask.
Under Brady v. Maryland, Bannon is entitled to all the documents, call logs, texts, emails, etc. associated with the January 6 committee, including those same documents between the committee and the DOJ; and also the internal DOJ documents that are not directly work product.
Must be thousands of documents.
Can’t wait to see Bannons list of witnesses he wants to subpoena. Bet there are at least 50, including Merrit Garland; he must have been involved in the decision making process to get Bannon indicted.
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