Steve Bannon surrenders to power

© Craig Ruttle / AP / TT
Right-wing populist Steve Bannon, who was then President Donald Trump’s first chief strategist. Photo gallery.

Steve Bannon, the controversial former chief strategist for former President Donald Trump, has surrendered to federal authorities since he was accused of defying Congress.

He was arrested after surrendering Monday morning local time, and is expected to appear in federal court later today.

Bannon was indicted by a federal grand jury Friday, in light of his refusal to testify before a congressional inquiry investigating the January 6 storming of the Capitol.

He also opposed the decision to submit the appropriate documents to Congress.

Bannon refused to appear before a congressional investigation, citing the special statutory privilege (executive privilege) that includes the presidency. However, since Bannon was neither in the White House nor a government employee at the time of the storm, this matter was questioned.

Donald Trump fired his chief strategist in 2017, but the two have remained in touch. According to information in the “Peril” book, Bannon called in a December phone call to Trump – who then made false accusations of electoral fraud – to focus on January 6, the election date and thus Joe Biden’s electoral victory being determined by Congress.