In May 2017, comedian John Oliver tauntingly coined the phrase “Stupid Watergate” to refer to then-President Donald Trump’s ever-growing list of scandals at the time, including his reported dealings with Russia, the investigation into Michael Flynn and his firing of former FBI Director James Comey.

They both carved out sterling reputations as military and political leaders over years of public service.

Longtime Trump ally Steve Bannon’s appearance in federal court on contempt charges provides a rare glimpse into one of the least-used powers of Congress at work — and how historically difficult it has been.

FILE - This Jan. 16, 2001, file photo shows G. Gordon Liddy, a Watergate conspirator, arriving at Baltimore's federal courthouse. Liddy, a mastermind of the Watergate burglary and a radio talk show host after emerging from prison, has died at age 90. (AP Photo/Roberto Borea, File)WASHINGTON – G. Gordon Liddy, a mastermind of the Watergate burglary and a radio talk show host after emerging from prison, died Tuesday at age 90 at his daughter’s home in Virginia. After his release from prison, Liddy became a popular, provocative and controversial radio talk show host. His syndicated radio talk show, broadcast from Virginia-based WJFK, was long one of the most popular in the country.

FILE - In this Monday, June 9, 1997, file photo, G. Gordon Liddy kneels next to his Corvette outside the Fairfax, Va., radio station where he broadcasts his syndicated radio talk show. Liddy, a mastermind of the Watergate burglary and a radio talk show host after emerging from prison, has died at age 90. (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds, File)WASHINGTON – G. Gordon Liddy, a mastermind of the Watergate burglary and a radio talk show host after emerging from prison, died Tuesday at age 90 at his daughter’s home in Virginia. After his release from prison, Liddy became a popular, provocative and controversial radio talk show host. His syndicated radio talk show, broadcast from Virginia-based WJFK, was long one of the most popular in the country.