Missouri Paper’s editorial board slammed House Republicans for voting against authorizing a criminal contempt referral for Steve Bannon.
On Saturday, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, a major regional newspaper based in Missouri, criticized Republican lawmakers. The editorial board wrote, “once the ‘law-and-order party is now the party that coddles criminals,” The article was published after the majority of the Republicans voted against authorizing a criminal contempt referral for former White House adviser to Donald Trump, Steve Bannon.
Bannon received the criminal contempt referral after refusing to comply with a subpoena to testify to the select committee investigating the Capitol incident on January 6. The contempt referral was moved to the Justice Department on Thursday after the House voted 229 to 202.
Editorial Board Contended House Republicans Claims
Rep. Jim Banks, an Indiana Republican who voted against the contempt motion, said that Bannon was a ‘private citizen’ before, during, and after the capitol attack. Banks also claimed that the select committee is interested in Bannon’s case because he is a “democrat party boogeyman.”
The editorial board of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch contended Bank’s claims by saying that the crime committed by Bannon was “pretty clear-cut,” according to a published article in Newsweek.
The editorial board said that an investigation as to who did what in preparation for the attack is justified and necessary. Additionally, they noted that Congress is constitutionally authorized to subpoena witnesses for the investigation, and those who fail to cooperate are violating the law. The editorial board also stated that “the party that tries to shield those lawbreakers should stop pretending it cherishes law and order.”
Bannon’s case now moved to the U.S. attorney’s office in Washington D.C. after a House vote on Thursday (Photo: Bloomberg)
Republicans Supporting the Contempt
In a report from Rolling Stone, House Minority Whip Rep. Steve Scalise instructed the party to vote against the measure. However, nine House Republicans joined the Democrats in supporting the contempt. Most of the Republicans who voted had previously voted for Trump’s impeachment.
Bannon’s case now lies with the United States Attorney’s Office in Washington, D.C., which will determine his prosecution. According to Attorney General Merrick Garland, who appeared before the House Judiciary Committee on Thursday, said the Justice Department will “play by the book.”
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