Navarro: Gov’t Refuses Plea Deal in Contempt Case
Former Trump Aide Peter Navarro Faces Trial on Congressional Contempt Charges
During his trial on congressional contempt charges in Washington on September 5, former Trump aide Peter Navarro revealed that the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is not interested in offering him a plea bargain. In an exclusive interview with The Epoch Times outside the courtroom, Navarro stated, “Let’s let the process play out here.”
“The DOJ isn’t interested in offering him a plea deal,” Navarro added.
Jury Selection Begins
Navarro’s comments came as the jury selection process commenced on the first day of his trial at the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. The former White House trade adviser is facing two misdemeanor counts of contempt of Congress.
By the end of the day, 14 jurors had been selected, with 12 expected to hear the case and the remaining two serving as alternates.
Indicted for Contempt of Congress
Navarro was indicted for contempt of Congress in June 2022 after failing to comply with a subpoena from the Jan. 6 Select Committee. He pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The committee was investigating the security breach at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, which caused a delay in the certification of the 2020 presidential election. They sought to question Navarro about his book, where he outlined a plan to delay the certification of Joe Biden as the winner of the election.
The charges were referred to the U.S. Department of Justice, and Attorney General Merrick Garland decided to pursue the case in the federal court system.
Controversial Congressional Committee
The congressional committee has faced criticism for being one-sided and politically motivated. They subpoenaed several former White House aides, including Navarro and Steve Bannon.
In July 2022, Bannon was found guilty of contempt of Congress and sentenced to four months in prison. Navarro, like others in Trump’s circle, argued that his communications with the former president were protected by executive privilege.
Executive Privilege Claim Denied
Navarro claimed that President Trump invoked executive privilege and instructed him not to testify before the committee. However, Judge Amit Mehta ruled that Navarro could not use the executive privilege claim as a defense.
The judge questioned the lack of evidence supporting Navarro’s claims and stated that the privilege must be invoked directly by the president or someone authorized by him. He also emphasized that a blanket assertion of privilege is not sufficient.
The trial continues as prosecutors present their case against Navarro.
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