Former Trump Adviser Peter Navarro Sentenced to Prison for Defying Congressional Subpoena

Former Trump White House official, Peter Navarro, has been sentenced to four months in prison for contempt of Congress. He was found guilty of defying a subpoena from the House committee investigating the Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol attack. Navarro, who previously served as a trade adviser in the Trump administration, joins Steve Bannon as the second former Trump insider to be convicted and sentenced for contempt of Congress. Bannon was sentenced in 2022 to four months in prison and is currently appealing his conviction.

Navarro’s conviction came after he refused to comply with a congressional subpoena requesting documents and testimony related to the Jan. 6 Capitol riot. He was convicted in September of two counts of contempt of Congress. During the sentencing, Judge Amit Mehta emphasized that Navarro had received proper due process and that he was not a victim of political prosecution. Mehta stressed that as an American, Navarro had an obligation to cooperate with Congress.

Prosecutor John Crabb argued that Navarro exhibited the belief that he was above the law and his defiance of Congress’ demand for cooperation could not be tolerated. The defense, on the other hand, maintained that executive privilege shielded Navarro from having to testify or produce documents. They had requested probation on Navarro’s behalf and plan to appeal his conviction.

During the hearing, Navarro spoke against his attorneys’ wishes and expressed his honest belief that executive privilege had been invoked when he received the congressional subpoena. He argued that the House committee should have either contacted former President Donald Trump or his attorneys to confirm the privilege or informed Navarro about the dispute. Navarro stated that a simple phone call could have resolved the issue without resorting to punishment.

Navarro’s attorney, Stanley Woodward, echoed his client’s sentiments, arguing that punishment was unnecessary as Navarro acted in what he believed to be his duty. However, Judge Mehta had already rejected Navarro’s executive privilege defense before the trial, citing the lack of evidence that Trump had directed Navarro not to cooperate or invoked executive privilege. Mehta reiterated this point during the sentencing, highlighting that Navarro failed to provide any evidence of the privilege being invoked.

Navarro has been sentenced to four months in prison and ordered to pay a $9,500 fine for contempt of Congress. His conviction serves as a reminder to presidential advisers of the consequences of defying congressional subpoenas. The trial heard testimony from three witnesses, none of whom testified on behalf of the defense.