Former Donald Trump adviser Steve Bannon has filed an emergency application with the Supreme Court in an attempt to avoid going to prison on July 1. Bannon, who was convicted on contempt of Congress charges nearly two years ago, had previously requested release pending appeal, which was denied by a federal appeals court.

In 2022, U.S. District Court Judge Carl Nichols sentenced Bannon to four months in prison. Despite Bannon's attempts to postpone the sentence, Judge Nichols ruled that there was no justification for further delay after the appeals court upheld Bannon's conviction in May.

Facing his last option, Bannon turned to the Supreme Court for assistance. The court has requested the Justice Department to respond to Bannon's application by June 26. The case originated from Bannon's refusal to comply with subpoenas for testimony and records issued by the House Jan. 6 committee. Bannon, who had previously worked in the White House, claimed he relied on his attorney's advice not to respond.

However, prosecutors argued that Bannon's noncompliance could not be excused by executive privilege since he was a private citizen who had not been in the White House for years. They also noted that the subpoena's demands were unrelated to Bannon's tenure at the White House and encompassed information that had no connection to communications with the former President.

Prosecutors further highlighted that Bannon used his media platform to mock committee members, potentially inciting violence, and ridicule the criminal justice system through exaggeration.

In a similar case, former Trump adviser Peter Navarro, who also faced contempt of Congress charges, previously petitioned the Supreme Court to remain free during the appeal process. Both Chief Justice John Roberts and the full court rejected Navarro's appeal.

As Bannon awaits the Supreme Court's decision, Trump's federal criminal case involving his efforts to prevent the transfer of power remains on hold pending a determination by the court on whether the former president is protected from prosecution by total immunity.

The outcome of Bannon's application to the Supreme Court could have significant implications for his case and may set a precedent regarding the limits of executive privilege for private citizens in the context of congressional investigations.