Former Trump White House trade adviser Peter Navarro reported to a Miami federal prison in March to begin serving a four month sentence for contempt of Congress.
While Navarro sought to remain free while appealing his case, the Supreme Court just rejected his request.Â
Second time Navarro’s request has been denied
According to MSNBC legal blogger Jordan Rubin, this is the second time that America’s highest judicial body has ruled against Navarro.
His first setback came in the form of a one page decision from Chief Justice John Roberts issued on March 18. While Navarro subsequently asked for another justice to review the question, Justice Neil Gorsuch also ruled against him on Monday.
Rubin noted in January that Navarro’s prison sentence and $9,500 fine was punishment for his refusal to comply with a subpoena from the since-disbanded House January 6 committee.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) had asked U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta to imprison Navarro for six months and impose a $200,000 fine.
“I had an honest belief that the privilege had been invoked”
For his part, Navarro maintained that former President Donald Trump had invoked executive privilege on his behalf, a claim which was ultimately rejected.
Fox News reported that Navarro addressed reporters shortly before he entered prison, saying, “I will walk proudly in there to do my time. I will gather strength from this: Donald John Trump is the nominee.”
“When I received that congressional subpoena, the second, I had an honest belief that the privilege had been invoked, and I was torn,” Navarro declared.
“Nobody in my position should be put in conflict between the legislative branch and the executive branch. Is that the lesson of this entire proceeding? Get a letter and a lawyer? I think in a way it is,” the former Trump adviser insisted.
Navarro concluded by expressing disappointment “with a process where a jury convicted me,” adding, “I was unable to provide a defense, one of the most important elements of our justice system.”
Navarro continues to appeal his conviction
Meanwhile, Jordan was careful to point out how Monday’s ruling from Gorsuch “doesn’t mean that the Supreme Court is done with Navarro.”
The MSNBC legal blogger explained that Navarro’s appeal of his contempt conviction is still pending and could bring him before the justices once again.
However, even if that does ultimately occur, it will only happen long after Navarro has already been released from federal custody.
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Author: Adam Peters
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