Prosecutors say Steve Bannon ‘chose allegiance to Trump’ as deliberations begin in January 6 contempt trial

Deliberations have begun in the contempt trial of former Donald Trump adviser Steve Bannon, who is accused of ignoring a subpoena from the congressional committee investigating the January 6 riot at the US Capitol.

“This case is not complicated, but it is important,” prosecutor Molly Gaston said during closing arguments on Friday.

She told jurors Mr Bannon “chose allegiance to Donald Trump over compliance with the law” and ignored the committee’s requests for information about the Capitol insurrection.

Sending Mr Bannon a subpoena was an early priority for the committee, owing to his reported presence in the infamous Willard Hotel “war room” of Trump allies in Washington, DC, on January 5. The Trump ally had also made previous predictions on his podcast that “all hell” was “going to break loose” on January 6.

Mr Bannon himself did not testify during the contempt trial, but his defence argued the committee’s subpoenas were invalid and politically driven, anchored by “placeholder” deadlines that were still subject to negotiation.

The Trump adviser “didn’t intentionally refuse to comply with a subpoena. Absolutely not. He didn’t intentionally refuse to comply with anything,” his attorney M Evan Corcoran argued.

This is a breaking news story and will be updated with new information.