Thread by @innercitypress

OK - now US v. Steve Bannon, arraignment and return on arrest warrant before DDC Magistrate Robin Meriweather. Inner City Press will live tweet, thread below

Judge Meriweather: You are charged with contempt of Congress, you could face one year in prison. Also 2 USC 192 violation... You have the right to remain silent, and the right to a speedy and public jury trial.

Bannon's lawyer: Under Rule 58b3, there can't been an arraignment before a Magistrate unless the defendant also consents to trial before a Magistrate. To be clear, we are not waiving.
Judge Meriweather: This is a misdemeanor, I do these arraignments all the time

Judge Meriweather: This case is assigned to District Judge Nichols. Would you prefer arraignment before him?
Bannon's lawyer: We'd waive the arraignment.
Assistant US Attorney: We're willing to go before Judge Nichols.
Magistrate Meriweather: Let's not do it.

Now Magistrate Judge Meriweather reads out Bannon's rights under the Due Process Protection Act, says Judge Nichols Nov 18 at 11 am before Judge Nichols.
AUSA: The government has not preference.
Bannon's lawyer: We prefer virtual.

Magistrate Meriweather: Does the Government want him detained?
AUSA: No, we concur with Pre-Trial.
Magistrate Meriweather: That's surrender passport, call in weekly, notify in advance of all travel.
Sidbury: Pre Trial is in possession of his passport.

Judge Meriweather: Can you confirm you hear the conditions of release?
Bannon: I did, your Honor.
Judge Meriweather: Let's swear him to the conditions. [Done]
Adjourned. [Note: even though Bannon was in person, this had a call-in line, unlike GMax in SDNY