Steve Bannon, a notable right-wing figure and former senior advisor to Donald Trump, was released from federal prison early Tuesday after nearly four months behind bars. His release comes just a week before the U.S. election, igniting renewed interest in his political activities.
Bannon exited a federal prison in Connecticut, where he served time for a contempt of Congress conviction, according to several U.S. media reports. Speaking to the New York Times outside the facility, the 70-year-old declared, “I’m not broken; I’m empowered.”
His conviction stemmed from his refusal to comply with a subpoena to testify before the congressional panel investigating the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol by Trump supporters. When he began his prison term on July 1, Bannon expressed pride in his decision, stating he was willing to serve time “if it’s what it takes to stand up to Joe Biden.”
Since Bannon’s imprisonment, the political landscape has shifted significantly. Joe Biden has withdrawn from the presidential race, with Kamala Harris stepping in as the Democratic nominee. Bannon was a key figure in Trump’s 2016 campaign and later served as chief strategist in the White House, leaving after seven months amid reported conflicts with other staff members.
Although Bannon is no longer formally associated with Trump, he continues to wield influence through his podcast, “The War Room,” where he advocates for Trump’s return to the White House.
In 2020, Bannon faced charges of wire fraud and money laundering for allegedly misappropriating millions of dollars donated for the construction of a border wall with Mexico. However, Trump issued a blanket pardon to Bannon before leaving office in January 2021, effectively dismissing those charges.