Prosecutors began their contempt of Congress case against Steve Bannon on Tuesday by accusing the former adviser to former President Donald Trump of "thumbing his nose" at the authority of the U.S. government when he defied a subpoena from the House Jan. 6 select committee.

In brief opening statement, Assistant U.S. Attorney Amanda Vaughn described Bannon as someone who had an obligation to help Congress in its investigation of the attack on the U.S. Capitol but refused to cooperate.