Former senior trade adviser to Donald Trump, Peter Navarro, has been convicted on two counts of contempt of Congress for refusing to cooperate with a congressional investigation into alleged attempts to overturn the results of the 2020 US presidential election. The verdict was delivered by a 12-person jury in the Democratic-led House panel investigation into the circumstances of the 2021 US Capitol riots and the alleged Trump-led attempts to overturn the election results.
Navarro, speaking outside the Washington DC court, called the verdict a “sad day for America” and declared his intention to appeal the case to the Supreme Court if necessary. He argued that the Department of Justice had ignored a longstanding policy stating that presidential advisers could not be compelled to testify before Congress. Navarro claimed that he was the first senior White House adviser to be charged with such an offense in the history of the United States.
However, US District Judge Amit Mehta ruled against Navarro, stating that he could not be shielded by Trump’s use of executive privilege. The judge pointed out that there was no evidence that Trump had actually invoked executive privilege in relation to Navarro’s subpoena. Navarro’s defense lawyer, Stanley Woodward, argued during the trial that his client’s failure to comply with the House investigation may have been an error.
In his book ‘In Trump Time’, Navarro wrote about his involvement in the GOP’s efforts to challenge the results of the 2020 election. He claimed that there was widespread voter fraud, but multiple legal challenges have failed to substantiate these claims.
Navarro, known for his hawkish policies on China, served as a key adviser on trade issues to Trump throughout his four-year administration and was also a member of Trump’s Covid-19 task force. He is the second close Trump associate to be convicted of failing to comply with the House investigation, following Steve Bannon’s conviction last year for contempt of Congress.
Navarro’s sentencing is scheduled for January and he could face up to one year in prison for each count, as well as fines of up to $100,000.
The conviction of Navarro highlights the ongoing scrutiny and investigation into the events surrounding the 2020 US presidential election and the role played by Trump and his associates. It also raises questions about the boundaries of executive privilege and the accountability of presidential advisers to Congress. As the legal process continues, the case may have significant implications for future investigations and the balance of power between the executive and legislative branches of government.
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