House Republicans, led by Congressman Eric Burlison (R-MO), have introduced a resolution to rescind subpoenas and contempt of Congress charges against key figures like Steve Bannon and Peter Navarro. This move aims not only to clear their legal challenges but also to challenge the legitimacy of the controversial January 6 committee, reports said on Tuesday.
The resolution, supported by 24 Republican lawmakers, calls for the immediate withdrawal of subpoenas issued by what Burlison and his supporters describe as an “illegitimate January 6th Committee.” The GOP lawmakers said they view the committee as a partisan tool designed to undermine former President Donald Trump and his closest advisors. They argue that the committee’s actions were not only overreaching but also fundamentally flawed in their legal basis and execution.
Their move comes shortly after the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld Bannon’s criminal conviction for contempt of Congress related to his refusal to comply with a subpoena from the January 6 committee. Bannon, who had been challenging this decision, is now facing a four-month prison sentence scheduled to start on July 1, unless a new legislative effort changes his situation.
U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols initially paused Steve Bannon’s four-month prison sentence during his appeal. However, on June 6, Nichols reversed his decision, stating that the original reasons for delaying the sentence no longer applied. This change followed a unanimous ruling against Bannon’s legal challenged by a D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals panel last month.
The January 6 committee had sought Bannon’s testimony and documents as part of their investigation into the Capitol breach. Bannon was charged with contempt of Congress after failing to comply with the subpoena, neither appearing for his deposition nor providing the requested documents, citing executive privilege as his defense.
The resolution introduced on Tuesday, however, aims to redefine the narrative around the events of January 6. Representative Thomas Massie (R-KY) explained, “The Republican House should, by an official vote of the House, declare the subpoenas on Steve Bannon and Peter Navarro to be illegitimate and repealed.”
Rep. Bob Good (R-VA) echoed that sentiment, saying, “The Democrats’ attempts to hold patriots such as Steve Bannon and Mark Meadows in contempt of Congress for refusing to comply with an illegitimate committee are textbook examples of our government being weaponized against political enemies. These men have bravely fought for America-first values and against the Swamp.”
Critics of the January 6th Committee have long argued that its composition and procedures did not align with established congressional norms. They claim that the committee was unbalanced, lacking equal representation from both major political parties, and focused more on dramatic public hearings than on thorough legal procedures.
“The committee’s own rules required equal apportionment between Republican and Democratic members, as well as the appointment of 13 members, but Nancy Pelosi refused to allow it,” added Representative Andy Ogles (R-TN). Representative Dan Bishop wrote (R-NC), “The illegitimate January 6th committee was focused on two things – escalating the political witch hunt against President Trump and getting on television. In their zeal to do so, they trampled on all manner of longstanding legal precedent and House rules.”
Then-House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), in accordance with House traditions and precedent, named five Republicans to sit on the committee, but Pelosi rejected them and picked two anti-Trump Republicans — now-former Reps. Liz Cheney of Wyoming and Adam Kinzinger of Illinois — to sit on the committee for the GOP.
For his part, Navarro is nearly done with his four-month sentence which began in March. It’s unclear if the GOP resolution would absolve him of a guilty conviction.
Disclaimer: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author’s opinion.