Bannon trial: Top lawyer for House Jan. 6 committee says it is "very unusual" to outright ignore Congressional subpoenas

Washington – The government in former top Trump strategist Steve Bannon's criminal contempt trial rested Wednesday afternoon after a day and a half of arguments.  

The chief counsel for the House Select Committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol told jurors that it's "very unusual" for witnesses who receive a congressional subpoena to outright fail to comply, and the committee viewed its referral of Bannon to the Justice Department for criminal contempt of Congress a "very serious step." 

Kristin Amerling said the committee wanted information from Bannon on 17 key topic areas –  ranging from his communications with former President Donald Trump to his knowledge of coordination between right-wing extremist groups in carrying out the attack – and needed it fast.