- Wednesday, October 16, 2024
Prosecutors argue that Peter Navarro showed contempt for the law and refused to cooperate in the probe into the U.S. Capitol attack on January 6, 2021.
In a trial on Wednesday, it was alleged that a White House adviser to President Donald Trump acted as if he were "above the law" when he declined to cooperate with a congressional investigation regarding the violent assault on the U.S. Capitol in 2021.
Peter Navarro faced charges of contempt of Congress, but his defense attorney claimed that he did not ignore the House Jan. 6 Committee. Instead, Navarro directed members to contact Trump regarding matters that might be protected by executive privilege. However, the court determined that the assertion of privilege alone was not a valid defense, as Navarro could not provide evidence that the former president had invoked it.
The committee's staffers testified about issuing the subpoena and Navarro's response, after which both sides rested their cases. Closing arguments and jury deliberations are scheduled for Thursday.
Promoting Trump's Baseless Claims
Navarro, who served as a senior trade adviser, was subpoenaed by the House panel in February 2022. The panel is investigating the circumstances surrounding the mob of Trump supporters that stormed the U.S. Capitol and disrupted the certification of Joe Biden's presidential victory. Given Navarro's involvement in promoting Trump's unsubstantiated allegations of widespread voter fraud, the committee believed he may possess valuable information connecting these claims to the violent attack, according to prosecutor John Crabb.
Related: Trump Allies Sidney Powell and Kenneth Chesebro Set to Be Jointly Tried from October 23, Judge Rules
Navarro's Failure to Comply with a Subpoena Raises Concerns
Defense economist Dr. Peter Navarro has come under scrutiny for his failure to provide requested emails, reports, and notes to the House committee. Despite being subpoenaed, Navarro did not show up to testify. Barry Crabb, an official associated with the committee, expressed his disappointment, emphasizing that compliance with a subpoena is a legal obligation, not a mere invitation.
In court, Woodward argued that the evidence presented during the trial would not indicate willful noncompliance on Navarro's part. He dismissed attempts to connect Navarro closely with the January 6 attack on the Capitol, claiming that the prosecution's opening arguments were akin to an enticing movie trailer that ultimately fails to deliver the promised storyline.
Navarro could face a maximum sentence of one year in prison if convicted. He is the second Trump aide to face criminal charges for failing to cooperate with the House committee, following Steve Bannon, who received a four-month sentence after being found guilty of two counts of contempt of Congress. Bannon, meanwhile, remains free pending an appeal of the verdict.
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