Thread by @joshgerstein

NEW: Bannon contempt-of-Congress case bogs down over evidence, prompting judge to consider delaying opening arguments. Jury pool stews as lawyers & judge wrangle. w/@kyledcheney politi.co/3v1zvzv

@kyledcheney We're back in session now. Defense says that, given rulings admitting the House J6-Costello letters at least in part, Bannon says whole letters would come in.

This means that jurors would see the thrust of Bannon's executive privilege arguments but would be instructed by Nichols not to consider the substance of those.

Discussion now about whether to proceed with opening statements today since no redaction of the letters seems necessary now. We still haven't selected the final jury, which needs to be done.

Discussion now about timing of openings, AUSA Vaughn trying to block defense's argument that House pressing to get Bannon info after return date of subpoena amounted to a waiver of the deadline

Peremptory strikes are underway now

'We have a jury,' Judge Nichols announces. Sounds like we are going to do opening statements today. Jury to be brought into courtroom just before 2 PM.

We're back underway about 20 minutes late. Actual jury (well, incl. 2 alternates) was just led into room. (9 men, 5 women)

1st action of the day for jurors, so Nichols says: 'Thank you for your patience.' Now judge is reading preliminary instructions in the case. We think openings will follow but nothing seems certain in this case.

Judge tells jurors to turn off push notifications and offers instructions for iPhone but NOT for Android.

Prosecutor Vaughn in opening statement v. Bannon: 'The defendant prevented the government from getting the important information it needed about what happened on Jan. 6 and how to make sure it didn’t happen again... '

Vaughn: 'Ladies and gentleman, ignoring a legal order, a subpoena from the United States Government, from Congress, that’s a crime.'

More Vaughn: 'At the end of this case you might say to yourself that this whole case is just about a guy who refused to show up? Yes. It is that simple because ours is a nation of laws…' Her statement about 18 mins....Onto defense opening now

Bannon attorney Evan Corcoran: 'Politics is the lifeblood of the U.S. House of Representatives…..This November there’s another election.... Politics invades every decision that they make. '

First objection came as Corcoran said there was a "slim majority" for the contempt referral. He then started to mention that 203 House members voted against the resolution and Vaughn objected. Now in a phone sidebar as jurors and we wait.

It appears only 202 voted against but it's in the ballpark bit.ly/3yN06Bw

After sidebar, Corcoran started in again: 'It passed by a slim majority but 203 members of Congress found that Mr. Bannon was not in contempt.' Def atty also said: 'Ask yourself is this piece of evidence affected by politics?' Prompting a 2nd objection, which judge overruled.

We're about to get the first witness in Bannon trial

up now House #J6 chief counsel Kristin Amerling

Very slow going testimony at moment about #J6 committee's founding resolution