Proceedings began Monday with jury selection at the federal courthouse in Washington, DC. Twenty-two potential jurors have been found, and the 12 that make up the jury and two alternates will be selected Tuesday morning. Opening arguments will begin soon after.
Jurors asked about House investigation
During Monday’s jury selection process, potential jurors were not pressed about their general feelings about Bannon or Trump.
They were, however, asked about their news consumption of the House investigation and about this case itself. Some said they’ve consumed a little of the House hearings, if that.
Many of the potential jurors said they’ve heard minimally about Bannon’s case, yet a large number of them have taken in at least some of the select committee public hearings. But awareness alone isn’t enough for them to be tossed from the jury pool.
Among the jurors who qualified for the 22, there is a man who works with Covid-19 testing, a woman retired from working for a union who’s now writing a dissertation and a self-described “recovering” lawyer who now works at the State Department.
The lawyer-turned-government-official told the judge she thought executive privilege might be part of the case, and that the case was about whether Bannon had to testify, or was protected.
It’s not clear if Bannon’s legal team will be able to make any arguments that even mention executive privilege to the jury. The judge, US District Judge Carl Nichols, allowed her to continue being a potential juror because her knowledge of the case was limited.
Bannon’s team has repeatedly argued that pre-trial publicity, especially with the congressional hearings, should prompt his case at least to be delayed.
But many potential jurors said they haven’t formed an opinion or know little of the details and weren’t quizzed extensively about Bannon’s political history.
One potential juror said she had a “high-level awareness” of the select committee proceedings and the case, and heard not everyone had responded to subpoenas they received — even if they should have. But “the whole story we haven’t heard yet,” the legal aid worker told the judge. “I’m presuming you’ll have to explain the law to us.”
She remained in the jury pool.
Another potential juror was tossed from the pool after he told the judge he watched all the select committee hearings, then criticized Republicans who say the election was stolen, and, looking toward Bannon, said, “I do believe he’s guilty.”
Trial expected to go quickly
Prosecutors pledge that their case against Bannon will be presented succinctly, over just a few days, with only two or three prosecution witnesses. That list includes House committee investigators.
Read More: Bannon trial set to begin over failure to comply with Jan. 6 committee subpoenas