Steve Bannon, the former White House Chief Strategist and Senior Counselor to former President Donald Trump, surrendered to the Federal Bureau of Investigation Monday morning.
The Justice Department charged Bannon Friday with contempt of Congress after he failed to attend a deposition and refused to turn over documents subpoenaed by the January 6 Committee. The congressional leaders of the Committee released a statement calling Bannon’s charges “a clear message” to anyone who blocks their investigation of the January 6, 2021, insurrection at the Capitol.
As Bannon entered the FBI Monday, he spoke to fans through a livestream on Gettr, a pro-Trump social network. According to NPR, Twitter permanently suspended Bannon’s account last year after he called for the beheading of Dr. Anthony Fauci.
Bannon spoke to fans of his conspiracy podcast “War Room,” saying he doesn’t “want anybody to take their eye off the ball” because he and his fans are “taking down the Biden regime.”
“I want you guys to stay focused, stay on message. Remember signal not noise. This is all noise,” he said, gesturing to the FBI and reporters. Bannon then pointed directly at the livestream camera and said, “that’s signal.”
Bannon faces up to a year in jail and a fine of between $100 to $1000.
Bannon was released from custody Monday afternoon after appearing in court. In a video from CBS News, Bannon vowed to “go on the offense” against the Biden administration and the Chinese Communist Party.