Washington, D.C. — The Justice Department has taken steps to dismiss its long-standing criminal case against Steve Bannon regarding his defiance of a congressional subpoena related to the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack. This new development comes as the department moves to conclude a chapter marked by legal battles over Bannon’s refusal to cooperate with the House committee investigating the insurrection.

Bannon, once a key adviser to former President Donald Trump, was convicted in 2022 for contempt of Congress. He faced two counts stemming from his failure to appear for a deposition and his refusal to provide requested documentation to the committee. After serving four months in federal prison earlier this year, Bannon has sought to appeal his conviction, but his legal strategy has shifted notably.

In an unopposed motion filed on Monday, the Justice Department conveyed its decision to dismiss the case, stating that it deemed this action to be in the “interests of justice.” The document indicated that Solicitor John D. Sauer, who previously served as a lawyer for Trump, would request the Supreme Court to vacate Bannon’s conviction and remand the case for dismissal. This marks a significant turn in the legal trajectory of a case that has drawn considerable attention.

While Bannon’s defense had previously rested on claims of executive privilege asserted by Trump, the timing of the government’s motion suggests a change in the prosecutorial approach. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro also filed a request in the lower court to dismiss the case, noting that Bannon had no objections to this action. The dual filings indicate a coordinated effort to bring closure to a controversial case that has underscored the complexities of executive privilege and congressional oversight.

Bannon did not respond to requests for comment on the recent developments. If successful, the dismissal would primarily carry symbolic weight, as he has already fulfilled his sentence. The original indictment stemmed from the House’s contempt vote against Bannon in 2021, which sought to unearth more information about his actions leading up to the January 6 riots.

On January 5, the day prior to the Capitol attack, Bannon generated headlines by stating on his podcast, “All hell is going to break loose tomorrow.” His refusal to comply with the subpoena, citing executive privilege, adds another layer to the ongoing debate surrounding the boundaries of congressional authority.

Bannon’s conviction in 2022 prompted statements from leading figures on the January 6 committee, emphasizing accountability for those who obstructed the investigation. They noted that Bannon appeared to prioritize his allegiance to Trump over adherence to legal obligations.

Despite his efforts to overturn the conviction through multiple appeals, those moves had not been successful until now. The current motion to dismiss the case may reflect broader political considerations as the legal landscape continues to evolve in the wake of the January 6 investigations.