Steve Bannon, a far-right agitator and longtime ally of President Donald Trump just fired a veiled threat at the new Pope — and it carries echoes of January 6.
Speaking about Pope Leo XIV, Bannon told Newsweek, “It is shocking to me that a guy could be selected to be the pope that had had the Twitter feed and the statements he’s had against American senior politicians,” adding that there will “definitely be friction.”
Leo, born Robert Prevost, is the first American pope in history. While his full agenda is still unknown, he was close to Pope Francis — a figure Bannon openly despised — and often criticized Donald Trump’s immigration policies online. That history is enough to draw fire from Trump’s allies.
Bannon hinted at what’s coming, saying, “Remember, President Trump was not shy about taking a shot at Pope Francis. So if this Pope — which he will do — tries to come between President Trump and his implementation of the mass deportation program, I would stand by.”
That phrase — “stand by” — is loaded. It’s the same phrase Trump used during a 2020 presidential debate when he told the Proud Boys to “stand back and stand by” — a chilling signal that came just months before the Capitol was stormed by extremist groups on January 6.
Bannon’s use of the phrase isn’t subtle. It’s a warning: if Pope Leo tries to interfere with Trump’s plans, expect confrontation — or worse.
So far, Trump himself has kept it polite. Last week he posted, “It is such an honor to realize that he is the first American Pope. What excitement, and what a Great Honor for our Country.”
