CNBC
Peter Navarro, an advisor to former U.S. President Donald Trump, speaks to reporters as he is surrounded by protesters after being found guilty of contempt of Congress at the E. Barrett Prettyman Courthouse on September 07, 2023 in Washington, DC.
A jury on Thursday convicted former Trump White House trade advisor Peter Navarro of two counts of criminal contempt of Congress. Navarro faces up to a year in prison, and U.S. District Court Judge Amit Mehta scheduled his sentencing for January 12.
Navarro had said he failed to comply with a congressional subpoena — which sought documents and his testimony to a House committee investigating efforts to reverse the…
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Opinion
I believe that the jury’s verdict of guilty on two counts of contempt of Congress against former Trump aide Peter Navarro was the right decision. Navarro was subpoenaed by the House Select Committee investigating the January 6 attack on the Capitol, and he refused to comply with the subpoena, citing executive privilege. However, the Supreme Court has ruled that executive privilege is not absolute, and that it can be overridden by a congressional subpoena if the need for information is strong enough. In this case, the committee had a strong need for Navarro’s information, as he was involved in planning the events leading up to the attack.
Navarro’s decision to defy the subpoena was a clear attempt to obstruct the committee’s investigation. He has repeatedly made false claims about the election, and he has shown no interest in cooperating with the investigation. His conviction is a victory for the rule of law and for the integrity of our democracy.
It is important to note that Navarro is still presumed innocent until proven guilty at sentencing. However, the conviction is a major setback for him, and it is likely that he will face a prison sentence. The maximum sentence for each count of contempt of Congress is one year in prison, but Navarro could also be fined.
The conviction of Peter Navarro is a significant development in the ongoing investigation into the January 6 attack. It sends a message that those who obstruct congressional investigations will be held accountable. It also provides a boost to the committee’s efforts to get to the truth about what happened on that day.