President Trump's former trade adviser Peter Navarro was dealt a major blow Tuesday when a judge denied his request for a new trial on contempt charges.
Navarro was found guilty last year of contempt of Congress for defying a subpoena from the House of Representatives' Jan. 6 special committee in 2022.
The 74-year-old had asked the court to reconsider the case on the basis that the jury's brief break for fresh air before handing down its verdict may have adversely affected the verdict. .
“The jury took an approximately eight-minute outdoor recess in John Marshall Park, adjacent to the courthouse. Some people in the park at the time appeared prepared to protest on issues related to January 6th.” said U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta. I wrote about Mr. Navarro's complaint..
But Mehta ultimately concluded that there was no evidence that anyone “directed any words or gave any signs.”
“Not only has the defendant failed to prove bias, but he has also failed to prove that the jury was actually exposed to undue outside influence,” Mehta added.
Navarro slammed the decision.
“While deliberating jurors roamed freely, placards were posted outside the courtroom reading, “Put Peter in Jail,'' “Ashley Babbitt Was Murdered,'' and “Free J6 Prisoner.'' “It was a quiet day. There's nothing to see here,” Navarro told the Post.
Navarro was found guilty in September of two counts of contempt for failing to appear at a deposition and failing to produce documents.
Just over two years ago, Navarro looks like it's being mocked On January 6th, the committee indicated that it did not dare contact Trump because he had evidence that would clear his name.
“They don't want any part of me. I will exonerate Mr. Trump and Mr. Bannon.” told The Daily Beast In 2021.
A few weeks later, the commission accused him of his bluff and subpoenaed him. He refused, citing executive privilege, which gives the president and, in some cases, people close to the president the power to withhold information from Congress.
At least four former Trump administration officials have been referred to the Justice Department by a special committee for possible contempt.
These include Navarro, former White House strategist Steve Bannon, former White House deputy chief of staff for communications Dan Scavino, and former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows.
The Justice Department indicted Bannon and Navarro, but not Scavino and Meadows.
Bannon was found guilty of two counts of contempt in 2022 and sentenced to four months in prison and ordered to pay a $6,500 fine. He subsequently appealed that conviction.
Late last year, the eldest son, Hunter Biden, ignored a congressional subpoena for an impeachment inquiry into his father.
The younger Biden held a news conference outside the Capitol but did not appear afterward. His lawyers have requested a public deposition, but House Republicans have refused.
Afterwards, Republicans moved to despise him. reportedly It put those plans on hold this week amid testimony negotiations.
Sentencing for Navarro is scheduled for January 25th.
Navarro could face 30 days to a year in prison and a fine of up to $100,000 for each charge.
