Donald Trump's Ex-Adviser Guilty of Contempt of Congress: Full Details

After ducking a congressional subpoena, a federal court found Peter Navarro, a staunch supporter and top trade adviser of former President Donald Trump, guilty of contempt of court.

The ex-Trump aide is the second former Trump administration official found guilty of not cooperating with the January 6 Committee; the first is Steve Bannon. Much like Steve Bannon, Peter Navarro has pledged to appeal the decision, according to the New York Times.

"We knew going in what the verdict was going to be. That is why this is going to the appeals court," he said during a post-trial press conference outside of the courthouse. "And we feel - look, I said from the beginning this is going to the Supreme Court. I said from the beginning I'm willing to go to prison to settle this issue, I'm willing to do that."

As Navarro, a very prominent election denier who is still preaching that Trump won the election, exited the courthouse, he was met with protesters, some of whom pointed out that Trump lost.

Navarro, much like Bannon, stated that Trump invoked executive privilege to not have him testify before the January 6 Committee. However, US District Judge Amit Mehta found that Navarro did not have enough evidence to show the court that the former president invoked that executive privilege.

Former House January 6 committee Tim Mulvey was happy with the verdict.

"His defiance of the committee was brazen. Like the other witnesses who attempted to stonewall the committee, he thought he was above the law. He isn't. That's a good thing for the rule of law. I imagine that those under indictment right now are getting a good reminder of that right now," he told CNN in an interview.

Peter Navarro's Lawyer Tried To Get a Mistrial

The jury deliberated Navarro's fate for around four hours. However, after they read the guilty verdict, Peter Navarro's lawyer, Stanley Woodward, moved for a mistrial and claimed that the jurors had taken an outdoor break near where protesters and media who regularly gather every time a Trump aide gets prosecuted. The attorney claimed that the jury members might have been exposed to the protesters, and thus, their opinions may have been tainted by what they saw outside.

According to the Associated Press, though, Judge Mehta did not immediately rule on this but did tell the Navarro attorney that he would consider written arguments on the issue.

Prosecutors Say Donald Trump Adviser Peter Navarro 'Acted Above the Law'

When Peter Navarro ignored the subpoena filed by Congress, prosecutors noted that the Trump adviser acted as if he were "above the law." His defense stated that their client did not purposely ignore the House January 6 Committee but was instead protected by executive privilege.

However, prosecutors noted that even if he invoked executive privilege, he should still have handed over what material he could. He could have also flagged any questions or documents believed to be protected by said executive privilege.

"Peter Navarro made a choice. He chose not abide by the congressional subpoena," said prosecutor Elizabeth Aloi during the hearing. "The defendant chose allegiance to former President Donald Trump over compliance to the subpoena."

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: Peter Navarro convicted of contempt of Congress - CBS News