WASHINGTON D.C. – Former senior aide to President Donald Trump, Peter Navarro, is being denied a delay in prison time by Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. as he appeals his conviction for contempt of Congress. Navarro, a 74-year-old economist, is set to report to federal prison in Miami by 2 p.m. Tuesday.
Roberts, overseeing emergency requests from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, stated that he found no reason to disagree with the appeals court ruling that Navarro must begin serving his sentence while his appeal is ongoing. Navarro was sentenced to four months in prison in January after being found guilty on two counts of contempt of Congress.
Following his involvement in efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election, Navarro published a book detailing a plot to sway the election to Trump during the certification of electoral votes on January 6, 2021. When issued subpoenas by the House committee investigating the Capitol attack, Navarro, along with right-wing podcast host Steve Bannon, refused to comply. Now, both face prison sentences for contempt of Congress.
While Bannon was allowed to remain out of prison as he pursues an appeal claiming advice from his attorney guided his decision not to testify, Navarro’s attorneys argue that their client believed he was invoking executive privilege by not complying with the congressional subpoena. However, Navarro failed to provide evidence that Trump intended to assert such privilege.
In denying Navarro’s request, Roberts agreed with the appeals court that Navarro had forfeited his right to challenge the conclusion that executive privilege was not invoked. Navarro’s attorneys, who chose not to comment, maintain that their client is not a flight risk and poses no danger to public safety if released pending appeal.
With the legal battle unfolding, Navarro remains on track to begin his prison sentence as he fights to overturn his conviction. The case highlights the ongoing tension between congressional oversight and claims of executive privilege in a politically charged environment.