House Jan. 6 committee will 'immediately' move to seek criminal charges against Steve Bannon if he is a no-show today

The House Select Committee on the January 6 Attack is expected to "immediately" seek criminal contempt charges against political strategist and white nationalist Steve Bannon if he ignores a lawful congressional subpoena ordering him to appear and testify today.

Calling it "Bannon's game of chicken," CNN reports the former Trump campaign CEO and former Trump White House senior counselor is facing "his last chance to reverse course and comply with the panel's subpoena before lawmakers likely move to seek criminal charges."

Bannon's attorney says his client "is not required to respond at this time" to the subpoena, claiming Donald Trump has the right to invoke executive privilege, but legal experts overwhelmingly agree that's false.

"If Bannon is a no-show," CNN adds, "the committee is expected to immediately begin seeking a referral for criminal contempt after the subpoena deadline passes — essentially making an example of Bannon's noncompliance as the House seeks more witnesses, sources familiar with the planning told CNN."

Acknowledging that it "could take some time" for the House to send the criminal contempt referral to DOJ, CNN reports "the committee could take initial steps within hours of the panel's stated deadline — which is Thursday."