In a fiery interview that is already making waves, Steve Bannon—former Trump strategist and host of War Room—unleashed a blistering attack on Senator Lindsey Graham, calling for either the revocation of his passport or for him to be imprisoned upon return to the U.S. over his recent visit to Ukraine.
Bannon’s comments came during a Monday night appearance on NewsNation with host Chris Cuomo, where the two clashed over the legality—and consequences—of Graham’s actions abroad.
Bannon’s Accusation: “He’s Giving Ukrainians False Hope”
Bannon accused the South Carolina senator of recklessly provoking a deeper U.S. entanglement in the Russia-Ukraine war, saying Graham is misleading Ukrainians into believing the U.S. will support a direct military escalation with Russia.
“He’s giving Ukrainians false hope that we’re there to support them on engaging Russia in a kinetic conflict—and we are not,” Bannon argued.
He continued:
“Two things ought to happen; either cancel his passport and don’t let him back in the country, or put him in jail if he comes back.”
Bannon insisted that Graham’s behavior was not simply poor judgment but dangerous geopolitical provocation, saying Americans never voted for war with Russia and warning that the consequences could spiral out of control.
Cuomo Pushes Back: “That’s Lawfare”
Cuomo, visibly taken aback, challenged Bannon on the idea of criminalizing speech:
“I don’t understand how you could want to jail a U.S. senator because he’s saying something you don’t like — that sounds like the worst of the deep state, and lawfare.”
Despite repeated interruptions, Bannon remained adamant that Graham’s rhetoric abroad crosses a line from free speech into national security risk, and that it warrants serious consequences.
A Bigger Conflict Brewing: America’s Role in Ukraine
Bannon’s warning taps into a broader rift within the Republican Party—and the American public—over foreign entanglements, especially under a second Trump administration that has signaled a strong “America First” posture.
His comments echo growing frustration among Trump-aligned conservatives who view figures like Lindsey Graham as neocon holdovers fueling global conflict under the guise of diplomacy.
“This thing is so serious… we’re getting sucked into this war, and if we get sucked in much more, we won’t be able to break off,” Bannon warned.
Conclusion: Speech, Sovereignty, and the Slippery Slope
While Cuomo defended Graham’s right to express foreign policy opinions—however misguided—Bannon’s explosive demand reflects the deepening anger over U.S. involvement in Ukraine, and a belief among many on the populist right that Washington’s elites are dragging America toward another war.
One thing is clear: this debate is far from over, and as the situation in Eastern Europe intensifies, domestic pressure on war hawks like Lindsey Graham is only going to rise.
