WASHINGTON — Former Trump White House official Peter Navarro was denied his request to remain out of prison while he appeals his conviction for contempt of Congress. Navarro was found guilty of refusing to cooperate with an investigation into the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol and was sentenced to four months behind bars. He had asked to be free while he fights the conviction in higher courts, but U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta denied the request.
Navarro, who served as a White House trade adviser under former President Donald Trump, must now report to serve his sentence on the date ordered by the Bureau of Prisons. However, there is still a possibility that the federal appeals court may step in to block Mehta’s order.
The denial of Navarro’s request comes after former White House adviser Steve Bannon, another Trump aide, received a four-month sentence for contempt of Congress charges. Bannon, however, is currently free pending appeal.
Navarro’s conviction stems from his refusal to comply with a subpoena for documents and a deposition from the House Jan. 6 Committee. He claimed that he couldn’t cooperate with the committee because Trump had invoked executive privilege. The judge, however, barred him from making that argument at trial.
Navarro played a prominent role in promoting Trump’s baseless claims of mass voter fraud in the 2020 election, which he lost to Democrat Joe Biden. Despite his conviction, Navarro continues to maintain his innocence. An attorney for Navarro declined to comment on the latest development.
The denial of Navarro’s request to remain out of prison adds to the legal challenges faced by several individuals who were part of the Trump administration. The ongoing investigations into the January 6 attack on the Capitol have led to a number of subpoenas and indictments.
The cases of Navarro and Bannon highlight the tension between former Trump officials and Congress as they investigate the events leading up to and following the attack. As these legal battles continue, they further underscore the lasting impact of the January 6 attack on the U.S. political landscape.
Despite the denial of his request, Navarro still has the opportunity to appeal his conviction. The outcome of these appeals, as well as the broader investigation into the Capitol attack, will continue to shape the narrative of accountability for those involved.