Former Trump Adviser Peter Navarro Convicted of Contempt of Congress

A federal jury on Thursday convicted Peter Navarro, a former trade adviser to former President Donald Trump, of two misdemeanor counts of contempt of Congress for defying a subpoena from the House select committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.

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Peter Navarro, an adviser to former President Donald Trump, center, speaks to reporters after being found guilty of contempt of Congress at the E. Barrett Prettyman Courthouse, Thursday in Washington, D.C. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

The jury deliberated for four hours before reaching its verdict. Navarro was the second Trump aide to be convicted of contempt of Congress, after former White House strategist Steve Bannon was convicted in July 2022.

Navarro argued that he was protected by executive privilege, but the judge ruled that he had not shown that Trump had personally invoked executive privilege over the documents and testimony that he was subpoenaed to produce.

Navarro faces a maximum sentence of one year in prison and a fine of up to $100,000 for each count. His sentencing is scheduled for January 12, 2024.

Navarro's conviction is a significant development in the House select committee's investigation. It is the first time that a former Trump administration official has been convicted of contempt of Congress for refusing to cooperate with a congressional investigation. The conviction could send a message to other Trump allies who are considering defying subpoenas from the committee.

The House select committee is investigating the events leading up to and including the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol. The committee is trying to determine whether Trump and his allies had a role in planning or inciting the attack. The committee has issued subpoenas to dozens of Trump allies, including Navarro, Bannon, and former Vice President Mike Pence.

Navarro's conviction is a setback for Trump and his allies. It could also make it more difficult for them to defend themselves against the charges that the committee is investigating.

The jury's decision was a victory for the House select committee, which has been facing challenges in its investigation. Several Trump allies have refused to cooperate with the committee, citing executive privilege. The committee has also been criticized by some Republicans for its focus on Trump's role in the Jan. 6 attack.

However, Navarro's conviction could help to deter other Trump allies from defying subpoenas from the committee. It could also send a message to Trump himself that he cannot obstruct the committee's investigation.

The House select committee is expected to continue its investigation in the coming months. The committee is expected to hold public hearings in the fall, where it will present its findings to the American public.