Trump ally Steve Bannon agrees to testify before Jan. 6 committee

Former White House Chief Strategist Stephen Bannon, appears on screen during the fourth hearing by the House Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the US Capitol in the Cannon House Office Building on June 21, 2022 in Washington, DC.

Steve Bannon told the House committee that he would testify at a public hearing.

The trial for criminal contempt of Congress was going to take place next week, but it has been canceled.

The lawyer for Bannon argued that he was following the assertion of executive privilege that had been claimed by Trump, which prevented him from providing the materials requested by the committee.

The House select committee and federal prosecutors said that executive privilege did not serve as an argument for noncompliance with a congressional subpoena.

Executive Privilege was invoked when you first got the Subpoena. In the letter, Trump wrote that he watched how unfairly you and others have been treated, having to spend vast amounts of money on legal fees, and all of the trauma you must be going through for the love of your country.

If you agree on a time and place for your testimony, I will waive Executive Privilege for you, which will allow you to testify honestly and fairly.

The follow-up to the committee was sent by representatives for Bannon.

While Mr. Bannon has been steadfast in his convictions, circumstances have now changed. Mr. Bannon would like to testify at your hearing.

It is not clear how his trial will be affected if he testifies. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of one year in jail and a fine of up to 100,000 dollars for each count.

A person for the committee did not respond immediately. The letters were confirmed by the lawyer, but he wouldn't comment further.