By Trendsetter Tribune 
In a significant legal reversal, the Department of Justice (DOJ) moved on Monday, February 9, 2026, to dismiss the criminal contempt of Congress case against Steve Bannon.
Despite Bannon having already served his four-month prison sentence in late 2024, the motion seeks to vacate his conviction and dismiss the indictment “with prejudice,” which would permanently clear the matter from his record and prevent future prosecution on these specific charges.
Key Details of the Dismissal
The motion represents a dramatic shift in the federal government’s posture toward the Jan. 6 investigation under the current administration.
- “Interests of Justice”: The unopposed motion, signed by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro, stated that the government determined dismissal was in the “interests of justice” under its prosecutorial discretion.
- Supreme Court Involvement: The DOJ simultaneously asked the Supreme Court to vacate the appellate ruling that had upheld Bannon’s conviction and remand the case back to the district court to facilitate the dismissal.
- Lack of Career Staff Support: Observers noted that the motion was signed by Pirro—a presidential appointee—without the standard signatures of career federal prosecutors, a move some critics have labeled a “political course correction.”
Timeline of Bannon’s Legal Saga
| Date | Event |
| Nov 2021 | Bannon indicted for defying a subpoena from the House Jan. 6 Committee. |
| July 2022 | A jury finds Bannon guilty on two counts of contempt of Congress. |
| July–Oct 2024 | Bannon serves four months in federal prison after the Supreme Court declines to delay his sentence. |
| Oct 2025 | Bannon petitions the Supreme Court to overturn his conviction even after serving his time. |
| Feb 9, 2026 | DOJ moves to dismiss the case and clear Bannon’s record. |