Peter Navarro, Former Donald Trump Adviser, Sentenced to 4 Months in Prison; Gets Heckled Soon After
One of Donald Trump's most infamous aides is going to prison, as a judge has sentenced former Trump adviser Peter Navarro to four months for Contempt of Congress. Navarro was previously found guilty over his refusal to comply with a subpoena from the January 6 committee.
US District Judge Amit Mehta also fined the MAGA loyalist $9,500 as part of his punishment. It was noted that Navarro's sentence was lighter than what prosecutors wanted, but was similar to the 4-month sentence handed to fellow Trump adviser Steve Bannon over a similar crime.
Navarro has been using the Trump playbook with the case, claiming he is being unjustly persecuted, just like Donald Trump. However, as he was getting sentenced, Judge Mehta scolded him, telling him, "You are not a victim, you are not the object of a political prosecution. These are circumstances of your own making."
As The Guardian noted, Navarro was sentenced last September for repeatedly ignoring January 6 Committee subpoenas. He became a person of interest in the investigation because of his proximity to Trump and also his involvement in his boss's plot to overturn the 2020 election results.
"They had a job to do and you made it harder," the judge added. "It's really that simple."
"He cloaked his bad-faith strategy of defiance and contempt behind baseless, unfounded invocations of executive privilege and immunity that could not and would never apply to his situation," wrote prosecutors in their sentencing memorandum for Navarro.
Immediately after he was sentenced, Navarro's attorneys, John Rowley and Stanley Woodward, filed a notice of appeal to the US Court of Appeals for the DC circuit. Because of this, his punishment will be deferred pending appeal.
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Peter Navarro Defends Actions That Led To His Sentencing
While his lawyers initially indicated that he would not be speaking at his sentencing hearing, Navarro changed his mind and insisted to the judge that he thought he was protected by executive privilege when he ignored the committee's subpoena, according to The Daily Beast.
"I just want you to know that when I received that congressional subpoena, you acknowledged correctly that I had an honest belief that privilege had been invoked and I was torn," he told the judge. "The minute that violence erupted on Capitol Hill was one of the worst days of my life."
Protesters Heckle Peter Navarro After Sentencing
After the jury ruled that he should spend four months in prison for defying Congress, former Trump adviser Peter Navarro tried talking to right-wing network, Newsmax. However, he kept being interrupted by protesters.
As he was speaking, several protesters could be seen holding up signs against Navarro that read, "Peter Navarro is a liar." Meanwhile, another protester was ringing a cowbell while he was speaking with Newsmax, while another was blowing a loud whistle.
MeidasTouch noted that in most instances, the protesters heckling Navarro have received more press coverage than what Navarro actually said.
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Written by: Rick Martin
WATCH: 'You are not a victim': Judge scolds Navarro during sentencing - CNN