Trump ally Steve Bannon surrenders to federal prison to serve 4-month sentence on contempt charges

Steve Bannon arrives to speak outside Danbury Federal Correctional Institution, Monday, July 1, 2024, in Danbury, Conn. Bannon was taken into custody after surrendering at the federal prison to begin a four-month sentence on contempt charges for defying a subpoena in the congressional investigation into the U.S. Capitol attack. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson)

DANBURY, Conn. (AP) — Longtime Trump ally Steve Bannon was taken into custody Monday after surrendering at a federal prison to begin a four-month sentence on contempt charges for defying a subpoena in the congressional investigation into the U.S. Capitol attack.

Steve Bannon speaks outside Danbury Federal Correctional Institution, Monday, July 1, 2024, in Danbury, Conn. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., left, listens. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson)

Bannon arrived at the Federal Correctional Institution in Danbury, Connecticut, around noon and was formally taken into federal custody, the Bureau of Prisons said.

Steve Bannon gets into his car before reporting to Danbury Federal Correctional Institution, Monday, July 1, 2024, in Danbury, Conn. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson)

Speaking to reporters, Bannon called himself a “political prisoner,” said former President Donald Trump was “very supportive” of him and slammed Democrats, including Attorney General Merrick Garland.

Steve Bannon walks to his car before reporting to Danbury Federal Correctional Institution, Monday, July 1, 2024, in Danbury, Conn. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson)

“I am proud of going to prison,” Bannon said, adding he was “standing up to the Garland corrupt DOJ.”

Steve Bannon, center, speaks outside Danbury Federal Correctional Institution, Monday, July 1, 2024, in Danbury, Conn. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson)

Shortly before he arrived to surrender, a small group of supporters gathered on the side of the road outside the prison. They cheered as Bannon and GOP Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia spoke during a news conference, holding up flags and signs supporting Bannon as a small group of protesters shouted, “Lock him up!” and “traitor!”

Steve Bannon walks to his car before reporting to Danbury Federal Correctional Institution, Monday, July 1, 2024, in Danbury, Conn. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson)

The crowd was rowdy, often breaking into chants of, “USA!” A supporter of President Joe Biden taunted Bannon by yelling “traitor” while Trump supporters tried to shout her down. Police had to stop traffic to allow the black SUV that Bannon was riding in to pull out of a church parking lot where Bannon’s supporters had gathered.

Steve Bannon gets into his car before reporting to Danbury Federal Correctional Institution, Monday, July 1, 2024, in Danbury, Conn. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson)

A judge had allowed Bannon to stay free for nearly two years while he appealed but ordered him to report to prison Monday after an appeals court panel upheld his contempt of Congress convictions. The Supreme Court on Friday rejected his last-minute appeal to stave off his sentence.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., speaks outside Danbury Federal Correctional Institution, Monday, July 1, 2024, in Danbury, Conn. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson)

Steve Bannon arrives to speak outside Danbury Federal Correctional Institution, Monday, July 1, 2024, in Danbury, Conn. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson)

Defense attorneys have argued the case raises issues that should be examined by the Supreme Court, including Bannon’s previous lawyer’s belief that the subpoena was invalid because Trump had asserted executive privilege. Prosecutors, though, say Bannon had left the White House years before and Trump had never invoked executive privilege in front of the committee.

Steve Bannon arrives to speak outside Danbury Federal Correctional Institution, Monday, July 1, 2024, in Danbury, Conn. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson)

Bannon’s appeal will continue to play out, and Republican House leaders have put their support behind stepping in to assert the Jan. 6 committee was improperly created, effectively trying to deem the subpoena Bannon received as illegitimate.

Steve Bannon speaks outside Danbury Federal Correctional Institution, Monday, July 1, 2024, in Danbury, Conn. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson)

Another Trump aide, trade adviser Peter Navarro, has also been convicted of contempt of Congress. He reported to prison in March to serve his four-month sentence after the Supreme Court refused his bid to delay the sentence.

Steve Bannon arrives to speak outside Danbury Federal Correctional Institution, Monday, July 1, 2024, in Danbury, Conn. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson)

Bannon is also facing criminal charges in New York state court alleging he duped donors who gave money to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. Bannon has pleaded not guilty to money laundering, conspiracy, fraud and other charges, and that trial has been postponed until at least the end of September.

Steve Bannon, left, speaks outside Danbury Federal Correctional Institution, Monday, July 1, 2024, in Danbury, Conn. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson)

__

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., speaks with supporters from her car outside Danbury Federal Correctional Institution, Monday, July 1, 2024, in Danbury, Conn. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson)

Whitehurst reported from Washington. Associated Press journalist John Minchillo contributed to this report.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., speaks outside Danbury Federal Correctional Institution, Monday, July 1, 2024, in Danbury, Conn. Longtime Trump ally Steve Bannon is scheduled to report to federal prison in Connecticut to serve a four-month sentence on contempt charges for defying a subpoena in the congressional investigation into the U.S. Capitol attack. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson)