Bannon Trial Delayed One Week for New Legal Team

Steve Bannon's trial in the "We Build the Wall" scandal has been postponed to March 4 following his decision to hire new attorneys for a robust defense strategy. Bannon, a longstanding Trump ally, faces state charges in New York for allegedly deceiving donors who contributed to constructing a US-Mexico border wall. Originally set for Feb. 25, the trial was pushed back to allow Bannon's freshly minted team—comprised of lawyer Arthur Aidala and colleagues—to better prepare their defense.

Bannon's legal team intends to argue the case as politically motivated, with Bannon highlighting his need for "every tool in the tool box." Despite requesting a more extended delay, the judge permitted only a one-week postponement. A major point of contention is the admissibility of an email in which Bannon questions the authenticity of the fundraising campaign, identified by prosecutors as crucial evidence against him.

The case had been revived by Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg after Bannon received a federal pardon from Trump in the final moments of his presidency. Bannon, 71, has pleaded not guilty to charges including money laundering and fraud. Meanwhile, other key figures in the campaign, including Brian Kolfage and Andrew Badolato, have already pleaded guilty to federal charges, resulting in prison sentences. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)