New York prosecutors have filed charges against Steve Bannon, former chief strategist for former President Donald Trump. Bannon and the “We Build the Wall” organization are accused of fraud, the authority said Thursday. The 68-year-old is said to have raised a million dollars through money laundering. Trump had actually pardoned his companion shortly before he left office, but that didn’t help here.
His organization is said to have raised more than $15 million (€14.8 million) in donations for Trump’s planned wall on the US-Mexico border. Contrary to public claims, Bannon is said to have received a salary of $250,000, which was hidden from money laundering. He is accused of pocketing a total of $1 million in donations. In court, the whisperer of the far right in the US pleaded not guilty.
“You must kill me first”
Bannon turned himself in to authorities on Thursday morning and was brought to trial that same day. He was handcuffed and brought into the courtroom. Along the way, the right-wing populist, known for his somber and martial statements, said: “This is what happens in the final days of a dying regime. They will never silence me, they have to kill me first. I haven’t started fighting yet.”
The 68-year-old has been charged in this case before, but Trump pardoned him in his final hours as US president. The New York Attorney’s Office indictment now concerns state statutes that authorities say do not affect the pardon.
Major influence on ultra-conservatives
Bannon is the co-founder of the right-wing internet platform Breitbart and is one of the most influential voices in the ultra-conservative camp of American politics. The 68-year-old is credited with playing a key role in Trump’s surprising success at the time.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
