Former Trump adviser Peter Navarro has been sentenced to four months in prison for defying a House Jan. 6 committee subpoena. The sentencing was handed down by U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta, who also ordered Navarro to pay a fine of $9,500. While the sentence is two months shorter than what the prosecutors had sought, the judge significantly reduced the Justice Department’s request for a $200,000 fine.
Navarro, who served in the White House under former President Donald Trump, was convicted in September of two counts of contempt of Congress for refusing to comply with a subpoena for documents and a deposition from the House select committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol. Despite being required to appear and produce documents in February 2022, and sit for a deposition in March 2022, Navarro chose not to provide the materials and testify.
During the sentencing hearing, Navarro claimed to have believed in “good faith” that Trump had invoked executive privilege, which led him to defy the subpoena. He expressed disappointment in the jury’s conviction and stated that he was unable to provide a defense, emphasizing the importance of this element in the justice system.
Judge Mehta expressed his confusion over Navarro’s arrest, questioning why he was not offered the chance to surrender voluntarily. He dismissed Navarro’s claims of a “two-tier system of justice” and criticized his refusal to engage with the committee. The judge emphasized that executive privilege is not a “get out of jail free card” and stressed the importance of working through the issues with the committee.
The sentencing guidelines for Navarro’s case suggested a range of zero to six months imprisonment and a fine range of $500 to $9,500. Judge Mehta ultimately decided on a four-month prison sentence and the lower end of the fine range. However, he noted that the guidelines are only a suggestion, and he could have imposed a longer sentence if he deemed it necessary.
Navarro’s defense attorney stated that the court of appeal would determine whether executive privilege applies in this case. The judge compared Navarro’s situation to that of another White House adviser, Kellyanne Conway, who had an opinion from the DOJ Office of Legal Counsel to rely on when citing executive privilege. Navarro, on the other hand, did not have such an opinion and did not hire representation.
Prosecutors argued that Navarro showed disdain for the committee and attempted to “hide behind claims of privilege” even before knowing exactly what the committee wanted. They recommended a six-month prison sentence and a $200,000 fine. The Justice Department highlighted that each count of contempt of Congress carries a minimum of 30 days and a maximum of one year in jail, as well as a fine of up to $100,000.
Navarro’s sentencing follows a failed bid for a new trial, in which his attorneys claimed that jurors may have been improperly influenced by political protesters outside the courthouse during their deliberations. However, the judge found no evidence to support this claim.
Navarro has vowed to appeal the verdict and has incurred over $1 million in legal expenses. He has appealed to supporters to donate to help cover his financial burden.
In conclusion, former Trump adviser Peter Navarro has been sentenced to four months in prison for defying a House Jan. 6 committee subpoena. The sentencing highlights the ongoing legal battles surrounding the events of the Capitol riot and raises questions about the extent of executive privilege. Navarro’s case serves as a significant marker in the constitutional separation of powers and the integrity of presidential decision-making.
