Former Trump adviser Steve Bannon is set to appear in a Manhattan court Tuesday amid plea deal talks in his criminal case over a crowdfunding campaign for the U.S.-Mexico border wall.
Bannon, 71, was charged with money laundering and conspiracy for allegedly defrauding donors who contributed over $15 million to the “We Build the Wall” fundraiser in 2019. He had pleaded not guilty, but discussions between his lawyers and prosecutors suggest a plea deal is near.
His trial is scheduled for March 4, with a pre-trial conference set for Tuesday. According to Law360, Bannon plans to plead guilty under an agreement ensuring he avoids jail time, as stated by his lawyer John Carman. Neither Carman nor the Manhattan district attorney’s office commented on Monday.
A border wall was central to Trump’s immigration policies, supported by Republicans but opposed by immigrant advocates. Trump has again prioritized immigration for his 2024 campaign.
Bannon was a key strategist for Trump’s 2016 campaign and briefly served as White House chief strategist in 2017 before a fallout, later reconciled. He remains a key figure in right-wing media.
Federal prosecutors charged Bannon in 2020 with similar fraud charges, but Trump pardoned him before leaving office. However, since the current charges are at the state level, Trump cannot pardon him.
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