Steve Bannon

WASHINGTON — The former chief strategist to President Donald Trump, Steve Bannon, has a dire warning for Republicans.

Bannon tells The Associated Press that he believes the GOP would lose 35 to 40 seats in the House if the election were held today, thereby ceding their majority to Democrats he’s convinced will pursue impeachment.

He argues there’s still time to turn that around and is launching a group, Citizens of the American Republic, to pitch the election as a vote to protect Trump from that outcome.

Democrats need to flip 24 Republican seats to retake the House and have grown bullish about their chances.

Bannon says his venture will focus on rapid response and polling.