Navarro and the Justice Department clashed over his claim that President Trump invoked executive privilege.
WASHINGTON—Peter Navarro, a former Trump White House adviser, has been sentenced to four months in prison and ordered to pay $9,500 in fines for his refusal to comply with congressional subpoenas that he said were covered by executive privilege.
“I haven’t heard a word of contrition from Dr. Navarro since this case began,” U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta said during Mr. Navarro’s sentencing hearing on Jan. 25. While issuing his sentence, Judge Mehta noted Mr. Navarro’s academic accomplishments and said that he didn’t “come from means” and “overcame financial challenges” in his life.
He said that the country “owes a debt of gratitude” to Mr. Navarro for his work on the coronavirus.
The sentencing hearing started with Judge Mehta reviewing the defense’s objections to statements made in legal filings alleging a lack of communication with the House select committee investigating Jan. 6, 2021, after his Feb. 9, 2022, subpoena.
Mr. Navarro had received subpoenas from the committee and, in September 2023, a jury found him guilty of two counts related to contempt of Congress: willful failure to provide records and willful failure to appear for testimony. Each charge carried the possibility of a $100,000 fine and 30 days to a year in prison.
During his closing remarks, Judge Mehta seemed to scold Mr. Navarro, telling him that the words “executive privilege” weren’t “magical,” or a “get out of jail free card.”
He also criticized Mr. Navarro for purportedly not acknowledging his role as an American to cooperate with Congress. Judge Mehta went on to defend the Jan. 6 committee: “They had a job to do and you made it harder. … It wasn’t a kangaroo court. The public can see that.”
Judge Mehta seemed incredulous that Mr. Navarro wanted him to think the prosecution was political in nature. He told Mr. Navarro: “You are not a victim. You are not the object of a political prosecution … you have received every process that you are due.”
