'The Death Of The Judicial System In America': Matt Gaetz SLAMS Judge's Ruling In Case Against Trump Ally Steve Bannon

On Thursday, Trump ally and conservative commentator Steve Bannon was ordered to surrender to prison on July 1 after Judge Carl Nichols refused to stay his four-month prison sentence for disobeying a subpoena from the January 6 Committee. In response to the ruling, Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) slammed the judge and described the outcome as the end of the judicial system.

"It is with great sadness and anger that we observe the death of the judicial system in America," Gaetz wrote on X. "Steve Bannon sought judicial review of the illegal demands of a runaway congressional committee, unlike any ever comprised.  It was literally a matter of first impression. And they’re sending him to prison - not just to torture him but to torture us."

"He didn’t even get a real trial. His defenses were stripped by a judge who hates him. The ramifications of these actions will reverberate in a very dark way for a long time. I’ve begged House leaders to advance legislation to expunge these contempt proceedings on Bannon/Navarro/Scavino/Meadows," the Florida congressman wrote. "They’ve refused. Likely because we don’t have the votes. We need stronger leaders. November can’t come soon enough."

Bannon, who is now the second Trump advisor to head to prison after Peter Navarro began his four-month sentence earlier this year, attempted to appeal his conviction last month, but the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia rejected his efforts. Bannon has repeatedly said that executive privilege gave him the authority to not cooperate with congressional investigators; however, that argument didn't hold up with the judges. 
 

During the Thursday hearing, the conservative commentator's legal team argued that Nichols lacks the authority to send Bannon to prison as the appeals process continues. However, that didn't stop the Biden Department of Justice from asking Judge Nichols to remove the stay on Bannon's sentence.

According to CBS News, Bannon's defense team argued that the judge should hold off on sentencing their client to prison because "the harm caused truly would be irreparable and unjust if the judgment, already fully executed, is then reversed on further review." 

Outside the courthouse, Bannon said that he would appeal the decision to the Supreme Court and stated that the legal efforts against him is an effort to sabotage the America First movement. "All of this is about one thing—shutting down the MAGA movement, grassroots conservatives and President Trump," Bannon said. "Not only are we winning, we are going to prevail. There’s not a prison or jail built that can shut me up."

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BANNON: All of this is about one thing—shutting down the MAGA movement, grassroots conservatives and Pres Trump. Not only are we winning, we are going to prevail. There’s not a prison or jail built that can shut me up. pic.twitter.com/rjTvjHlrzW

— Grace Chong 🇺🇸 (@gc22gc) June 6, 2024

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