In a recent ruling, a federal court of appeals has upheld Steve Bannon's contempt of Congress conviction for failing to testify about the January 6 Capitol riot. The three-judge panel with the Washington DC Court of Appeals denied Bannon's appeal, bringing him one step closer to serving his four-month jail sentence.

Bannon, a close ally of former President Donald Trump, was convicted in July 2022 after refusing to comply with a congressional subpoena related to the Capitol riot. The subpoena requested his testimony and the production of documents pertaining to the events of January 6, 2021. According to the Washington DC US Attorney's office, Bannon's refusal to comply led to his contempt of Congress conviction.

The court ruling affirmed the binding precedent, stating that none of Bannon's challenges to his convictions held merit. As a result, his jail sentence, which had been on hold during the appeal process, will now be imminent. In addition to serving time, Bannon was also fined $6,500 in October 2022.

Bannon's legal team argued that he did not "willfully" reject the subpoena and claimed he was following his lawyers' advice. However, the appeals court dismissed this argument. Despite the setback, Bannon still has legal options available to him. His attorney, David Schoen, revealed that Bannon will appeal to the full panel of judges in the capital's highest court, and he may also petition the US Supreme Court to hear his case.

Meanwhile, another Trump aide, Peter Navarro, has also been charged with contempt of Congress for failing to comply with a subpoena relating to the January 6 investigation. Navarro received a four-month jail sentence in January and began serving his time in March after the Supreme Court declined to hear his appeal.

In addition to his ongoing legal battles related to the Capitol riot, Bannon is set to face trial this September in New York on fraud charges. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's office has accused Bannon of using funds intended for the construction of a US-Mexico border wall for personal gain. Bannon has pleaded not guilty to the charges of money laundering, conspiracy, and fraud.

The trial was originally scheduled for this month but has been postponed due to Mr. Trump's hush money trial, which is also being overseen by the same judge, Justice Juan Merchan.

As Bannon's legal challenges continue, the situation surrounding his contempt of Congress conviction has raised questions about accountability and the consequences for those involved in the events of January 6, 2021.