Former Trump aide Steve Bannon has been released from prison after being sentenced to serve time for defrauding donors in a fundraising campaign to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. Bannon was pardoned by former President Donald Trump on his last day in office, along with a slew of other individuals who had been convicted or were facing charges.
Bannon, a staunch supporter of Trump, was a key figure in his 2016 presidential campaign and served as his chief strategist in the White House for a brief period of time. However, his involvement in the fundraising campaign known as “We Build the Wall” led to his downfall and subsequent legal troubles.
In August 2020, Bannon and three others were indicted on charges of defrauding donors who had contributed to the campaign, which promised to use the money to build a wall along the southern border. Instead, prosecutors alleged that Bannon and his associates used the funds for personal expenses and to cover their own salaries.
Bannon pleaded not guilty to the charges and maintained his innocence throughout the legal proceedings. However, in May 2021, he reached a plea agreement with prosecutors and was sentenced to serve two years of probation and pay restitution to the donors he defrauded.
Bannon’s release from prison comes as a result of Trump’s pardon, which wiped away his conviction and allowed him to walk free. Trump defended his decision to pardon Bannon, claiming that he had been unfairly targeted by prosecutors and that his actions were not deserving of a criminal conviction.
The pardon has sparked controversy and criticism from both Democrats and Republicans, with many questioning the ethics of pardoning someone who had been convicted of defrauding donors. Some have accused Trump of abusing his presidential powers to protect his allies and cronies, while others have praised the decision as a way to right a perceived wrong.
For Bannon, his release from prison marks the end of a tumultuous chapter in his life and political career. It remains to be seen what his next steps will be and how he will navigate the fallout from his legal troubles. One thing is for certain – Bannon’s reputation has been tarnished, and he will have to work hard to rebuild his credibility and trust with the public.