put himself above the law. the defense suggesting that to contempt of congress charges against him were politically motivated. proceedings began today after the judge in the case, carl nichols, who is a trump appointee, denied a defense request for a month long delay. you will recall that last week he rejected the number of defenses, including bannon s claim of executive privilege, leaving one ban a defense attorney to ask and these are his words what s the point of going to trial if there are no defenses? to which the judge replied, agreed. remember, this is the same c van who promised, as he made his first court appearance to make his, quote, the misdemeanor from. it s the same stephen and who, even as he recently offered to appear live before the select committee, express contempt for its members and continued his tough guy routine, conditions for his testimony here s what i need. give me a date, a time, a room number, a microphone and a wholly bible i can take the