Washington, D.C. – A former senior aide to the ex-President Donald Trump is facing a prison sentence after being convicted of contempt of Congress for refusing to testify about his involvement in efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election. Peter Navarro, a 74-year-old economist, has been ordered to report to a prison in Miami by March 19, following a ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit.
The court unanimously decided that Navarro’s appeal did not present substantial questions of law or fact that were likely to overturn his conviction or his sentence. While Navarro can still seek intervention from the Supreme Court, this would be an unusual move. His attorneys have confirmed that he will abide by the court’s decision and report to prison as ordered.
Navarro and another Trump ally, Stephen K. Bannon, faced subpoenas from the House committee investigating the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. Both men ignored the subpoenas and are now serving four-month prison sentences for contempt of Congress. Navarro argued that he was not required to respond to the committee due to Trump’s executive privilege, but the court found his claims to be unsubstantiated.
In a recent conference, Navarro compared his legal situation to that of Trump, highlighting the unprecedented nature of their circumstances. Despite Navarro’s divisive and abrasive personality, he was among the allies Trump relied on as he sought ways to remain in power following the 2020 election. Navarro’s plan, as detailed in his book, involved tactics to pressure Vice President Mike Pence to reject certain state election results in favor of Trump.
The court’s decision to uphold Navarro’s conviction underscores the seriousness of congressional investigations into the Capitol attack and the weighty interests at play. The ruling also serves as a reminder of the legal implications for those who defy congressional subpoenas in such cases. Despite the potential for further legal challenges, Navarro’s conviction stands as a significant development in the ongoing fallout from the events of January 6, 2021.