This feels like the end of Steve Bannon
The DOJ has already gotten Steve Bannon convicted and sentenced to prison on contempt charges, which he’s currently appealing. New York has charged Bannon with more serious crimes, and he’s awaiting trial. This comes even as we prepare to find out whether Special Counsel Jack Smith will indict Bannon as part of his January 6th related probe.
In the meantime, Bannon has most recently been trying to meddle in the Presidential election in Brazil. After his far right candidate Jair Bolsonaro lost reelection, Bannon publicly encouraged him to claim it was rigged and simply remain in office (sound familiar?). That didn’t work, as Bolsonaro has since left office, and he’s believed to be hanging out in Florida (sound familiar?). Now Bolsonaro’s supporters have stormed the Capitol in Brazil today, in a weak and aimless but nonetheless disturbing effort at violently overthrowing the newly elected President (sound familiar?).
Here’s the thing. Bannon talks of raising armies and revolutions, but it’s always just disorganized idiots running at a building for no gain. He stirs up just enough of this cosplay stuff to be able to raise money off it. He’s not a revolutionary, he’s a financial fraudster. This is all a game for him, to line his pockets.
Even as we wait for more details about the failed coup attempt in Brazil, keep in mind that Bannon has already been criminally convicted once, and he’s trying to fight off federal prison. The more recent criminal charges against him feel like nearly a lock to put him in state prison. There appear to be more federal charges coming. And given that he’s (at the least) helped incite today’s violence in Brazil, there’s now likely going to be an increased urgency to finish taking him down. It’s starting to feel like we’re going to end up looking back on today as the end of Steve Bannon.
