WASHINGTON (AP) – Former White House strategist Steve Bannon has been ordered by a federal judge to report to prison by July 1. This decision comes after Bannon defied a subpoena from the House committee investigating the U.S. Capitol insurrection. The ruling by U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols in Washington follows a recent appeal court decision upholding Bannon’s contempt of Congress conviction.

Bannon, a close ally of former President Donald Trump, has vowed to fight the judge’s order, indicating that he may seek a stay to delay his surrender date. Despite the legal challenges ahead, Bannon remains resolute, stating, “There’s not a prison built or jail built that will ever shut me up.”

Trump, in a social media post, criticized prosecutors for their eagerness to incarcerate Bannon, reiterating his belief that Republicans are being unfairly targeted by a politically motivated justice system. This rhetoric has amplified in light of Trump’s recent legal troubles, including a conviction in a New York hush money trial.

The judge who issued the prison mandate, Carl Nichols, was appointed by Trump in 2018. Bannon’s conviction on two counts of contempt of Congress dates back nearly two years, stemming from his refusal to cooperate with the Jan. 6 House Committee’s investigation.

Despite initial leniency from Nichols as Bannon fought his conviction, the recent appeals court ruling left little room for further delay. The defense maintains that Bannon was acting in good faith during negotiations with the congressional committee, guided by legal advice on the validity of the subpoena and assertions of executive privilege.

In a parallel case, former Trump adviser Peter Navarro also faced contempt of Congress charges, resulting in a four-month prison sentence. Trump’s invocation of executive privilege was central to Navarro’s defense, a claim ultimately dismissed by the courts.

Meanwhile, Bannon confronts additional legal challenges in New York state court for alleged fraud relating to a fundraising campaign for a border wall. The trial for these charges has been postponed until later this year, prolonging Bannon’s legal battles on multiple fronts.