Steve Bannon indicted for contempt of Congress in Jan. 6 investigation

Steve Bannon was indicted by a federal grand jury for defying a subpoena from the House committee investigating the Jan. 6 Capitol riot.

The announcement comes weeks after the former White House chief strategist declined to cooperate with congressional investigators, citing former President Donald Trump's claims of executive privilege. The assertions of executive privilege are being cut down by the Biden administration as well as the courts and add pressure on other allies of Trump to comply with the House panel's subpoenas.

"Stephen K. Bannon was indicted today by a federal grand jury on two counts of contempt of Congress stemming from his failure to comply with a subpoena issued by the House Select Committee investigating the Jan. 6 breach of the U.S. Capitol," the Justice Department said Friday.

Bannon is expected to self-surrender on Monday, then appear in court that afternoon, according to multiple reports. If convicted, he faces fines and prison time.

The grand jury activity comes as Democrats are increasingly vocal about their frustration with Attorney General Merrick Garland over the Justice Department's hesitation to enforce subpoenas after Trump directed several of his advisers to resist.