Former Trump aide Steve Bannon has been indicted by a federal grand jury on two counts of contempt of the US Congress.

Bannon, who was White House chief strategist under Donald Trump, is accused of failing to comply with a subpoena issued by a House Select Committee investigating the US Capitol riot on 6 January.

The 67-year-old has cited a claim, apparently from Donald Trump, that his communications are protected by a legal doctrine of executive privilege.

He has been charged with one count of contempt of Congress involving his refusal to appear for a deposition and
another involving his refusal to produce documents, the Justice Department said.

Each count carries a sentence of up to a year behind bars.

Attorney General Merrick Garland said the charges reflect a “steadfast commitment” to “equal justice
under the law”.

Last month Representative Bennie Thompson, who sits on the committee, said it would “not tolerate defiance of our subpoenas”.

He added in a statement: “So we must move forward with proceedings to refer Mr Bannon for criminal contempt.”