Pelosi Statement on House Amicus Brief in Contempt Case Against Steve Bannon

Washington, D.C. – Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued this statement after the House filed a motion to submit an amicus brief in the D.C. District Court case of United States v. Bannon, the criminal prosecution of Stephen Bannon for defying a lawful subpoena issued by the Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol:

"In October, the House voted on a strong bipartisan basis to hold Steve Bannon in contempt for defying a legitimate Congressional subpoena. This vote upheld the genius of our Constitution: the separation of powers, which safeguards the Congress' authority to conduct necessary and appropriate oversight.

"The Department of Justice is to be commended for moving to hold Bannon accountable for his blatant defiance of a lawful subpoena. Now, Bannon is seeking to dismiss the case, claiming that the Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack does not have standing to compel his testimony. By addressing many of Bannon's baseless arguments before the D.C. District Court, the House continues to defend this Constitutional power as well as its essential prerogative to establish its own rules and practices.

"No one is above the law. As the House's amicus brief makes crystal clear, the subpoena of Steve Bannon issued by the Select Committee is legally valid, urgently needed and must be enforced. Bannon is a key witness to the January 6th Insurrection, who holds information central to the House's investigative and legislative efforts to defend American Democracy.

"Congress and the Country salute the outstanding Members of the Select Committee as they exercise oversight authority in continuing to tirelessly pursue the truth of that dark day."