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'This from a convicted felon': Steve Bannon slammed after issuing prison warning to Gen Mark Milley over China phone calls

Steve Bannon asserted that Mark Milley would be 'held accountable' in a second Trump administration

MIAMI, FLORIDA: In a recent episode of his 'War Room' podcast, influential media figure Steve Bannon issued a stern warning to retired General Mark Milley, asserting that Milley would be "held accountable" in a second Trump administration for the controversial calls he made to his former Chinese counterpart during the tumultuous final months of Donald Trump's presidency.

Milley, who stepped down as the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in October, defended himself against criticism from Trump and his allies regarding his communications with General Li Zuocheng of the People's Liberation Army.

He insisted that the calls were within the scope of his duties, emphasizing in a '60 Minutes' interview last month that there was "absolutely nothing inappropriate or treasonous about them."

On the other hand, Trump said it was "an act so egregious that, in times gone by, the punishment would have been DEATH! A war between China and the United States could have been the result of this treasonous act."

Steve Bannon's strong rebuke

Bannon, a longtime Trump ally, strongly contested Milley's defense. "We're gonna hold him accountable," he said on his podcast. "We don't know the form yet or how charges are going to be filed, but this guy is not going to get away with this. It was treasonous."

"You specifically talked to the Chinese Communist Party, the PLA, about your mindset and the mindset of the American military in that trying time, and you did not run that by the commander-in-chief, whom you swore an oath of office to protect the Constitution," he continued.

"He's the commander-in-chief. If you had a problem, you should have resigned right then. You didn't. You're cunning, you're sneaky, you're a liar, and you're treasonous, and you will be held accountable," Bannon added.

In a conversation with Newsweek, Bannon emphasized that Milley "needs to face legal action as soon as possible."

Bannon's strong stance is notable, given his own legal troubles. Convicted in July of last year for two counts of contempt of Congress, Bannon was sentenced to four months in prison in October 2022. However, he has remained free pending appeal.

Bannon is also slated to stand trial in May on separate money-laundering, fraud, and conspiracy charges related to the "We Build the Wall" campaign. He has pleaded not guilty to these charges, with prosecutors alleging that donations were falsely promised for the border wall project but were used to enrich Bannon and others involved.

Social media reminds Steve Bannon of conviction

Critics of Bannon, predominantly from the opposite side of the political spectrum, took to social media to express their disdain. Some wondered why Bannon, convicted of contempt of Congress, was not already in prison, while others anticipated his legal troubles in the upcoming trial related to the "We Build the Wall" campaign.

"This from a convicted felon," one posted on X (formerly Twitter).

"Isn’t he supposed to be an inmate himself by now?" another added.

"Steve Bannon is going to prison for his 'build the wall' scam so that’ll be nice," a comment read.

"Bannon is an anarchist & an agent of chaos who has been misinforming his listeners for years. He was convicted of contempt of Congress but allowed to walk free while he appealed. Wonder why Jack Smith hasn't knocked on his door for helping incite Jan. 6th," another wrote.

"Steve Bannon is projecting and We the People can’t wait to see him prosecuted for TREASON and other crimes," someone else alleged.