Former US President Donald Trump’s trade adviser, Peter Navarro, faces a four-month prison term for contempt of Congress related to the January 6 Capitol attack investigation.
ALJAZEERA reported that Navarro, accused of defying a subpoena, plans to appeal, citing executive privilege, but the judge rejects this argument. The judge criticizes Navarro for divisive statements and loyalty to Trump.
“Nobody in my position should be put in conflict between the legislative branch and the executive branch,” he told the judge.
He added that there was “no reason for the harsh punishment” prosecutors were seeking.
But US District Judge Amit Mehta refuted his claim and said, “You are not a victim. You are not the object of a political prosecution”.
“These are circumstances of your own making,” he added.
Federal prosecutors in Washington had asked Judge Mehta to give Navarro a six-month sentence and a $200,000 fine, arguing that he chose to be loyal to Trump over the rule of law.
“The defendant brazenly defied Congress,” prosecutor John Crabb said.
Prosecutors also said that Navarro tried to “hide behind claims of privilege” even before he knew what the committee wanted, showing a “disdain” for the committee.
His sentencing came after a judge rejected his bid for a new trial after his lawyers argued that jurors might have been influenced by protesters outside the courtroom when they took a break from deliberations.
Navarro, 74, advised Trump on trade issues during his presidency and became a vocal supporter of Trump’s false claims of widespread voting fraud in the 2020 election.
Trump backers looked to prevent Congress from certifying President Biden’s victory during a clash with police and rampaging through the Capitol.
Navarro is the second Trump aide convicted of contempt of Congress charges, after former White House adviser Steve Bannon, who also got a four-month sentence but is free pending appeal.
The judge presiding over Thursday’s sentencing also criticised Navarro for his past statements that Biden and other prominent Democrats are behind his conviction.
“Joe Biden is not responsible for your prosecution,” the judge told Navarro.
“It’s those kinds of statements from somebody who knows better than that contributes to why our politics are so corrosive.”
