Steve Bannon border wall fraud trial pushed to Feb 25

A New York judge on Monday agreed to postpone Steve Bannon's criminal trial, related to an alleged effort to defraud supporters of President-elect Donald Trump who donated to a campaign to raise funds for a border wall, until February. 

The trial, which was slated to begin on Dec. 9, will now begin on Feb. 25, 2025, and is centered on allegations that he intentionally lied to Trump supporters who donated to the online campaign that sought money for building additional miles of wall along the U.S. southern border during Trump's first administration. Bannon has pleaded not guilty in the case.

Justice April Newbauer allowed the delay to give Bannon's defense team more time to prepare for new evidence that prosecutors are expected to introduce in the trial. Bannon did not appear in court in person on Monday, according to Politico, but confirmed in a virtual appearance that he would be able to attend the Feb. 25 trial date.

Prosecutors have also asked for the jury to be anonymous but Newbauer has not ruled on the request so far.

Prosecutors are expected to argue that Bannon intended to directly benefit from the "We Build the Wall" campaign. But defense attorneys maintain the money that Bannon allegedly gave to himself and his allies was legal reimbursement. 

The delay will also give Bannon a longer reprieve between court cases. Bannon completed a four month prison sentence for contempt of Congress in October. 

“The four months in federal prison, not only did it not break me, it empowered me,” Bannon said after his release from prison. “I am more energized and more focused than I have ever been in my entire life.”

The case is being tried in state court, which means Trump will not be able to pardon him when he takes office in January.

Misty Severi is an evening news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.