Supreme Court Rejects Former Trump Aide Navarro’s Attempt to Delay Prison Sentence

The Supreme Court declined to stop former Trump White House official Peter Navarro’s prison sentence for contempt of Congress as he appeals his conviction.

Navarro is set to begin a four-month prison term on Tuesday after being convicted of misdemeanor charges for failing to cooperate with a congressional investigation into the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack. He had requested to remain free during the appeal process.

Navarro argued that he couldn’t cooperate due to executive privilege invoked by former President Donald Trump. However, lower courts ruled that he failed to prove Trump’s invocation of executive privilege.

In a statement on Monday, Navarro stated that he would continue to appeal his case on its merits.

The statement highlighted the significance of the separation of powers and the preservation of executive privilege. Navarro expressed concerns over the politicization of the justice system under the Biden administration.

The order denying Navarro’s request was signed by Chief Justice John Roberts, who handles emergency applications from Washington, D.C. The denial does not impact the outcome of Navarro’s appeal.

Navarro’s attorney, Stanley Woodward, declined to provide a statement.

Navarro, a former White House trade adviser, is the second Trump aide to be convicted of contempt of Congress. Steve Bannon, another former White House adviser, also received a four-month sentence but was allowed to remain free pending appeal.

Navarro was found guilty of defying a subpoena from the House Jan. 6 committee. Despite his efforts to delay his prison term, the sentence was upheld by U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta and the federal appeals court.

The Supreme Court is preparing to hear arguments on whether Trump has presidential immunity regarding allegations of interference in the 2020 election.