By Sarah N. Lynch

WASHINGTON (Reuters] – On Tuesday, a judge gave a date for Steve Bannon’s July 18 trial. He was charged with contempt of Congress after he refused to submit to a House of Representatives inquiry regarding the fatal Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol riot.

U.S. district Judge Carl Nichols declared the date. This was a compromise of timelines that were sought at a hearing between Bannon and his lawyers. Bannon’s lawyers requested that the date be set for mid-October, as they wanted it to provide them with more time to prepare.

Nichols explained that “in the Jan. 6 criminal case involving the persons who were in or committed violence at the Capitol, none have yet been brought to trial for the January indictments.”

Judge Nichols noted that Bannon’s case is not a misdemeanor, and yet, prosecutors are keen to proceed at “light speed.” Nichols said that a October trial proposal would not be feasible.

Bannon was indicted https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-justice-department-indicts-bannon-not-complying-with-jan-6-subpoena-2021-11-12 last month on one contempt count for refusing to appear for a deposition before the House select committee investigating the riot and a second count for refusing to produce documents as requested. He has pleaded not guilty https://www.reuters.com/world/us/former-trump-adviser-bannon-enters-plea-not-guilty-obstructing-jan-6-2021-11-17.

Bannon was held in contempt by the Democratic-led House, which voted October. The Justice Department headed by Attorney General Merrick Grland will decide if charges should be brought.

In an unsuccessful attempt to stop congressional formal certification of Trump’s 2020 election loss to Biden, a mob stormed Capitol. Trump’s behavior in relation to these events is being scrutinized by the select committee.

Bannon refused to cooperate, citing Trump’s assertion that he is entitled to the material to be kept confidentially under executive privilege. Bannon faces the most serious criminal charges in the wake of the investigation by the panel.

According to a court filing, while the prosecution estimates that they will need only one day’s testimony, Bannon and his lawyers expect the trial to last for at least 10 working days.

Bannon, who was Trump’s top advisor during his 2016 campaign for the presidency, became White House chief strategist. His support for right-wing candidates and causes has been diverse.