Steve Bannon at the White House in Washington on June 1. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

Steve Bannon at the White House in Washington on June 1. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

Bannon lashes out at his foes, and Trump’s

By Cathleen Decker / Los Angeles Times

WASHINGTON — Steve Bannon, President Donald Trump’s former chief strategist, left the White House last month vowing to support the man he helped into the Oval Office and to savage those he saw as blocking Trump’s way.

It is a long, long list.

In an interview with CBS’ “60 Minutes,” Bannon exacted revenge on a host of people, both Trump supporters and advisers and outsiders who never warmed to the president during last year’s campaign.

Of House Speaker Paul D. Ryan and Senate leader Mitch McConnell, both Republicans: “They do not want Donald Trump’s populist, economic nationalist agenda to be implemented … It’s as obvious as night follows day.”

Of George W. Bush’s national security team, including former secretaries of State Condoleezza Rice and Colin Powell: “I hold these people in contempt, total and complete contempt … They’re idiots and they’ve gotten us in this situation, and they question a good man like Donald Trump.” (Bannon mocked them as the “geniuses” who embroiled the nation in war with Iraq and empowered China economically.)

Bannon saved his most scathing criticisms for those who he said had not been loyal to Trump despite ostensibly being part of his brain trust, including New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and the president’s chief economic adviser, Gary Cohn.

Christie was blocked from a Cabinet position, Bannon said, because of his reluctance to publicly support Trump in October, when the campaign was upended by the release of an “Access Hollywood” tape in which Trump made vulgar remarks about women to host Billy Bush.

“He wasn’t there for you on Billy Bush weekend so therefore he doesn’t get a Cabinet position?” interviewer Charlie Rose asked.

“I told him, ‘The plane leaves at 11 in the morning. If you’re on the plane, you’re on the team.’ Didn’t make the plane,” Bannon replied.

He said Cohn should have resigned rather than be publicly critical of the president’s recent response to white supremacists marching in Charlottesville, Va.

Cohn, who is Jewish, was standing within feet of Trump when the president said there were “some very fine people” among those marchers.

“You can tell him, ‘Hey, maybe you can do it a better way.’ But if you’re going to break, then resign,” Bannon said.

Bannon brushed aside mention of Trump’s failures. But he predicted trouble ahead over Trump’s decision to rescind in six months the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, which protected from deportation young immigrants brought to the country by their parents. Trump cut off the program last week, with a six-month delay to allow the Republican-led House to craft a fix.

“I’m worried about losing the House now because of this,” Bannon said, predicting a party feud like the one that erupted the last time immigration reform was on the table. “If this goes all the way down to its logical conclusion, in February and March, it will be a civil war inside the Republican party.”

Bannon said he wanted Trump to “go full bore” and rescind the program unilaterally.

“As the work permits run out, they self-deport,” Bannon said of those currently protected by the program. “There’s no path to citizenship, no path to a green card and no amnesty. Amnesty is non-negotiable.”

Bannon, a Catholic, was disdainful of Catholic bishops who have defended immigrants: “They need illegal aliens to fill the churches.”

Since his departure from the White House, Bannon has returned to the helm of the far-right Breitbart media organization he ran before joining Trump’s campaign. He told Rose that he would be Trump’s “wingman outside for the entire time.”

And help destroy Trump’s enemies, Rose asked.

“To make sure his enemies know that there’s no free shot on goal,” Bannon replied.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Olivia Vanni / The Herald 
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County.
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mukilteo mayor vetoes council-approved sales tax

The tax would have helped pay for transportation infrastructure, but was also set to give Mukilteo the highest sales tax rate in the state.

Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring gives the state of the city address at the Marysville Civic Center on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Marysville council approves interim middle housing law

The council passed the regulations to prevent a state model code from taking effect by default. It expects to approve final rules by October.

x
State audit takes issue with Edmonds COVID grant monitoring

The audit report covered 2023 and is the third since 2020 that found similar issues with COVID-19 recovery grant documentation.

Bothell
Bothell man pleads guilty to sexual abuse of Marysville middle schoolers

The man allegedly sexually assaulted three students in exchange for vapes and edibles in 2022. His sentencing is set for Aug. 29.

Larsen talks proposed Medicaid cuts during Compass Health stop in Everett

Compass Health plans to open its new behavioral health center in August. Nearly all of the nonprofit’s patients rely on Medicaid.

Snohomish County Health Department Director Dennis Worsham on Tuesday, June 11, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish County Health Department director tapped as WA health secretary

Dennis Worsham became the first director of the county health department in January 2023. His last day will be July 3.

Everett
Everett police charge man with homicide after alleged drug deal

In May, the man sold drugs to an Everett woman in her 40s who later died from an overdose, police said.

Community members gather for the dedication of the Oso Landslide Memorial following the ten-year remembrance of the slide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The Daily Herald garners 6 awards from regional journalism competition

The awards recognize the best in journalism from media outlets across Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.

Missing Marysville boy, 10, found safe and sound

Police said the boy was last seen Sunday morning before leaving to go for a run at a nearby middle school.

Red tape hangs in the front of the entrance to a burned down Center for Human Services building along 204th Street on Monday, July 7, 2025 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lynnwood fire destroys behavioral health nonprofit building

The cause of the fire is under investigation. The building housed an intensive mental health support program for youth and families.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Gold Bar in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Lynnwood man dies in fatal crash on US 2 near Gold Bar

The Washington State Patrol said the driver was street racing prior to the crash on Friday afternoon.

Thousands gather to watch fireworks over Lake Ballinger from Nile Shrine Golf Course and Lake Ballinger Park on Thursday, July 3, 2025 in Mountlake Terrace, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Thousands ‘ooh’ and ‘aah’ at Mountlake Terrace fireworks show

The city hosts its Independence Day celebrations the day before the July 4 holiday.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.