WASHINGTON – Moments before turning himself into federal prison to begin serving a four-month sentence for defying a congressional subpoena, Peter Navarro, a former aide for Donald Trump claimed his case represents an “unprecedented assault” on the separation of powers and executive privilege.
“When I walk in that prison today, the justice system such as it is will have done a crippling blow to the constitutional separation of powers and executive privilege,” Navarro told reporters at a strip mall across from a federal prison in Miami Tuesday morning.
“I’m pissed. That’s what I’m feeling right now, but I’m also afraid of only one thing,” he added. “I’m afraid for this country.”
The Supreme Court on Monday refused to halt a prison sentence for former Trump White House official Peter Navarro as he appeals his contempt of Congress conviction.
Navarro reported to federal prison Tuesday for a four-month sentence, after being found guilty of misdemeanor charges for refusing to cooperate with a congressional investigation into the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. He had asked to stay free while he appealed his conviction.
Navarro has maintained that he couldn’t cooperate with the committee because former President Donald Trump had invoked executive privilege. Lower courts have rejected that argument, finding he couldn't prove Trump had actually invoked it.
While speaking to reporters, Navarro claimed that “it wasn’t fair” that his case has been run by Democrats who he believes have “weaponized the justice system.”
“Every person who has taken me on the road to that prison has been a Democrat and a Trump hater,” he said. “Ill walk proudly in there and do my time.”
Towards the end of his press conference, Navarro promoted his soon-to-be-released book while praising Trump before driving himself across the street to federal prison.
“God bless you all. I’ll see you on the other side,” he said.
The Monday order signed by Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, who handles emergency applications from Washington, D.C., said he has “no basis to disagree” with the appeals court ruling, though he said the finding doesn’t affect the eventual outcome of Navarro’s appeal.
His attorney Stanley Woodward declined to comment.
Navarro, who served as a White House trade adviser, was the second Trump aide convicted of misdemeanor contempt of Congress charges. Former White House adviser Steve Bannon previously received a four-month sentence but was allowed to stay free pending appeal by U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols, who was appointed by Trump.
Navarro was found guilty of defying a subpoena for documents and a deposition from the House Jan. 6 committee. U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta, who was appointed by President Barack Obama, refused his push to stave off his prison sentence and the federal appeals court in Washington agreed.
The Supreme Court is also separately preparing to hear arguments on whether Trump himself has presidential immunity from charges alleging he interfered in the 2020 election.
Trump and former First Lady Melania Trump were seen in Palm Beach Tuesday after voting during Florida’s Presidential Primary Election where he weighed in on Navarro’s Supreme Court ruling.
“I think it’s a shame and a disgrace. It’s a disgrace to our nation what they did to him,” he said.