Steve Bannon’s defense seeks acquittal then rests case

By ASHRAF KHALIL
Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — Trump ally Steve Bannon declined to testify and his lawyers did not call any witnesses in his contempt of Congress trial on Thursday, instead arguing the judge should just acquit him. Bannon’s team says prosecutors haven’t proven their case against the former adviser to then-President Donald Trump. Defense lawyer Evan Corcoran contended that the prosecution’s case that Bannon illegally rejected the House Jan. 6 committee’s subpoena rested on the testimony of Kristin Amerling, the panel’s chief counsel, and it was “clear from her testimony that the dates were in flux.” U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols said he would rule later on the motion for acquittal.