Bannon’s contempt trial judge forbids proposed defenses in possible hint to defendant -National & International News-Tues19Jul2022

Bannon trial judge forbids defenses, documents in possible hint to defendant; Jan. 6 Committee schedules prime-time hearing for July 21; deadly, record-breaking heatwave threatens Europe.

NATIONAL NEWS

Capitol attack continues to dominate news in U.S.

The January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol continues to dominate national news headlines.

The contempt trial of Steve Bannon, former President Donald Trump’s top adviser, got underway yesterday with jury selection.

Bannon is charged with contempt for failure to obey subpoenas from the January 6 committee investigating the attack.

Carl J. Nichols, who was appointed to a federal district court judgeship by Trump, is the presiding judge in Bannon’s trial. Nichols has already forbidden the defenses proposed by Bannon’s lawyers. One of the lawyers asked Judge Nichols, “What’s the point of going to trial if there are no defenses?”

Nichols’s terse reply: “Agreed.” Is that a hint from Judge Nichols that Bannon lawyers should plead him guilty so the court can pass sentence and move on to other business? Upon conviction Bannon would face 30 days to a year in jail and fines ranging up to $100,000.

Meanwhile, the January 6 Committee, headed by Mississippi Congressman Bennie Thompson, has scheduled a prime time hearing for Thursday July 21. Two former White House staff members are expected to testify about Trump’s actions (and inactions) before and during the attack on the Capitol.

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Jan. 6 Committee upcoming testimony: https://thehill.com/homenews/ap/ap-politics/former-white-house-aides-to-testify-at-next-jan-6-hearing/

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Record heat wave, fires threaten much of Europe

There were record high temperatures yesterday in the United Kingdom and France. Temperatures above 100 F degrees are expected today in much of Western Europe.

Wild-fires resulting from dry conditions threaten parts of Spain, Portugal, and France. At least two people were killed in fires in Spain. The Associated Press reported “hundreds” of heat related deaths throughout the Iberian Peninsula.

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More on record-breaking European heat wave: https://apnews.com/article/wildfires-france-fires-heat-waves-b7c3ecaba66d9851ba0381e68d207784

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