Steve Bannon Admits Guilt in ‘We Build the Wall’ Felony Case

Steve Bannon, a former adviser to Donald Trump, pleaded guilty on Tuesday to a felony charge in New York related to a fraudulent scheme aimed at defrauding Trump supporters. The case centers around a fundraiser purportedly designed to support the construction of a border wall.

Bannon admitted to one count of Scheme to Defraud in the First Degree, a class E felony under New York state law. As part of his plea agreement, he will face three years of conditional discharge. During this period, he cannot work with any New York nonprofits, utilize any data obtained from the fraudulent activities, or engage in any further criminal offenses.

In 2022, Manhattan prosecutors charged Bannon with a six-count indictment that accused him of orchestrating and promoting a deceptive crowdfunding initiative called “We Build the Wall.” Initially, he had pleaded not guilty, with a trial scheduled for early next month. However, he changed course just weeks after hiring prominent criminal defense attorney Arthur Aidala, known for representing figures like Harvey Weinstein.

Aidala expressed concerns over Bannon’s ability to receive a fair trial in New York City, citing widespread opposition to Trump among local voters. “It was pretty obvious from recent history that there was no way Steve Bannon would get a fair trial,” Aidala noted. He further stated that the best outcome for Bannon would have likely been a hung jury, acknowledging the uphill battle they faced.

In court, Bannon was reserved, simply responding “Yes, your honor,” when asked about his involvement in the fraudulent scheme. However, outside the courthouse, he remained unrestrained, calling for U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi to investigate New York Attorney General Letitia James and Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg regarding their actions against Trump.

Bragg welcomed Bannon’s plea, emphasizing the importance of protecting New Yorkers from fraud. “This resolution achieves our primary goal: to protect New York’s charities and New Yorkers’ charitable giving,” he stated, underscoring Bannon’s disqualification from any fiduciary role in nonprofits within the state.

Bannon, 71, has been a significant figure in the MAGA movement for over a decade. Previously, he served as Trump’s campaign strategist and was the executive chairman of Breitbart News. His legal troubles are not new; he was indicted in 2020 on federal charges related to the same “We Build the Wall” initiative. Although Trump pardoned him on the last day of his presidency, this did not extend to his co-defendants, who faced similar accusations of embezzling $25 million from the crowdfunding campaign.