by Pa Rock
Citizen Journalist
Former Trump spokesman and current podcaster Steve Bannon was indicted by a federal grand jury last Friday on two counts of "contempt of Congress" after he failed to comply with a subpoena issued by the House committee that is investigating the insurrection of January 6th. The committee wanted Bannon to turn over records related to attack on the Capitol - and to appear in person before the committee to testify. Bannon declined to comply with either official request.
The normal process following an indictment calls for the person to surrender to law enforcement or be arrested, and then to be arraigned on the charges in a court of law. An "arrest" for people without means or connections - specifically poor people and people of color - usually involves being physically apprehended, processed - searched, photographed, fingerprinted - and often having a cell door slam shut as they enter confinement.
But arrests are handled differently for the privileged classes. Bannon, who learned of his indictment on Friday through the news media, phoned in his response. He told law enforcement that he would report on Monday at a time which apparently suited him. That gave him the weekend to make sure that all of his news coverage for the big event was in order.
Yesterday Bannon did turn himself in and surrender his passport. He was told to be in court on Thursday for an arraignment - and then he was released without bail. The only thing left to do on Bannon's list of chores for yesterday was to make a few theatrical threats on his way out the door which could be used as soundbites for Fox News and AT&T'S ONE AMERICA NEWS. He checked that box by yelling this at reporters at the conclusion of his "arrest":
"I'm telling you right now this is going to be the misdemeanor from hell for Merrick Garland, Nancy Pelosi, and Joe Biden. We're going on the offense. They took on the wrong guy this time. They took on the wrong guys."
And the noise and the white privilege rolls on.
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