In a significant legal development, the Supreme Court has denied conservative commentator Steve Bannon's bid to remain out of prison while he appeals his conviction on two counts of contempt of Congress. The order paves the way for Bannon to report to prison by July 1, where he will serve a four-month sentence.

Bannon, a close ally of former President Donald Trump, was convicted nearly two years ago for refusing to comply with a subpoena from the House select committee investigating the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. The committee sought documents and testimony from Bannon about his communications with Trump regarding efforts to overturn the outcome of the 2020 presidential election.

Arguing that Trump had invoked executive privilege over the requested information, Bannon rebuffed the subpoena. However, U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols, presiding over the proceedings, barred Bannon's lawyer from using the defense of relying in good faith on his one-time lawyer's advice. Despite Bannon's appeal, a jury found him guilty on both counts of criminal contempt, resulting in a four-month prison sentence.

Previously allowed to remain free while appealing his conviction, Bannon saw his bail revoked by Nichols after the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit upheld his conviction. Bannon's lawyers sought emergency relief from the Supreme Court, hoping to delay his prison term until the justices considered whether to review his case. However, the high court denied his request in a 2-1 decision, clearing the path for Bannon to serve his sentence beginning July 1.

Bannon's legal team argued that future disputes over subpoena compliance could be met with immediate indictments based on earlier rulings. They cited examples of high-ranking Executive Branch officials who had faced contempt of Congress charges for defying subpoenas. However, the Justice Department opposed Bannon's contention, asserting that his convictions were well-founded and lacked merit.

Additionally, Bannon's lawyers attempted to draw parallels between his case and Justice Department lawyers withholding documents concerning Hunter Biden. The Justice Department rejected any comparison, stating that Bannon's total noncompliance, despite being advised by Trump's counsel, was different from instructions given to current government employees regarding their official responsibilities.

While fighting his contempt of Congress conviction, Bannon requested a stay, similar to that of former top trade adviser Peter Navarro, who is serving a four-month prison sentence for defying a House select committee subpoena. Navarro's bid was also rejected by the Supreme Court, leaving both former Trump officials to face their respective sentences.

The denial of Bannon's bid by the Supreme Court underscores the importance of complying with congressional subpoenas and the court's stance on the matter. With Bannon set to begin his prison term on July 1, the legal battles surrounding his conviction continue, raising questions about the powers of former executive branch officials and their potential liability when facing such demands from Congress.