Peter Navarro Sentenced to Four Months in Jail for Contempt of Congress

Key Points

– Peter Navarro was sentenced to four months in jail and fined $9,500 for contempt of Congress.
– Navarro was convicted in September for not complying with a subpoena from the House select committee investigating the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack.
– Navarro has appealed his conviction and sentence to the DC Circuit Court of Appeals.

The Trial

Peter Navarro’s trial for contempt of Congress was a swift affair, lasting less than a day. The jury heard testimony from three witnesses, including Navarro himself, who took the stand in his own defense. Prosecutors presented evidence that Navarro had knowledge of a plan to delay the activities of Congress on January 6 and that he was unwilling to share this information with the House committee investigating the Capitol attack. Navarro’s attorneys did not present any witnesses, instead focusing on the argument that Navarro’s non-compliance with the subpoena was not willful and deliberate.

Navarro claimed that he did not comply with the subpoena at the direction of former President Trump, who he said invoked executive privilege in the matter. However, the judge overseeing the case concluded that Navarro had not carried his burden of proving that Trump had formally asserted a privilege or testimonial immunity that would have allowed him to not appear before the committee.

The Sentence

Navarro was sentenced to four months in jail on each of the two contempt of Congress charges, with the sentences to run concurrently. He was also fined $9,500. Prosecutors had asked for a sentence of six months in jail for each count and a fine of $200,000. Navarro’s attorneys had asked for a sentence of no more than six months of probation for each count.

The Appeal

Navarro has filed an appeal of his conviction and sentence to the DC Circuit Court of Appeals. He plans to raise the issue of whether Trump properly invoked executive privilege and other arguments on appeal. The federal appeals court in DC is currently considering Steve Bannon’s bid to overturn his own contempt of Congress conviction. Some members of the panel handling the appeal have appeared skeptical of Bannon’s arguments, suggesting that Navarro’s appeal may face an uphill battle.

Significance

Navarro’s conviction and sentence represent another victory for the now-disbanded House January 6 committee in its efforts to have the Justice Department criminally pursue individuals who refused to cooperate with its probe. Navarro’s case is also significant because it is the first time a former White House aide has been convicted of contempt of Congress for refusing to comply with a subpoena from a congressional committee.

Navarro’s prosecution and sentencing send a clear message that the Justice Department is willing to pursue criminal charges against individuals who defy congressional subpoenas. This could have a chilling effect on future witnesses who are considering whether to cooperate with congressional investigations.

Conclusion

Peter Navarro’s conviction and sentence for contempt of Congress is a significant development in the ongoing investigation into the January 6 Capitol attack. It remains to be seen whether Navarro’s appeal will be successful, but his case could have a lasting impact on the ability of Congress to conduct oversight of the executive branch.