Trump advisor and Big Lie/Jan. 6 promoter and participant Peter Navarro has just lost his appeal. Convicted of Contempt of Congress and sentenced to four months in prison like any Trumpkin Navarro appealed. His argument was that Executive Privilege prevented him from cooperating with Congress as they investigated Jan. 6. Pointing to Steve Bannon who is out on bail awaiting the outcome of his own appeal of his conviction for the same Navarro said he deserved the same consideration. Especially since his lawyers have stated if he lost at the DC Circuit he’d appeal to SCOTUS. However, as of earlier this afternoon the order for him to surrender and begin serving his four months behind bars remains in effect.
As legal pundits have more time to review and digest the opinion I’m sure we’ll learn more. However, as this NBC report indicates the main thing is Navarro is going to have to serve his time. I for one look forward to seeing him report to the federal pen in Miami. He is required to do so by 2pm on the 19th. His lawyers of course have requested a stay but as of this writing none has been granted. Navarro has claimed all along that Executive Privilege prevented him from cooperating with the J6 Committee, except both at the District Court and the appellate level it was shown Trump never actually invoked the privilege on Navarro’s behalf. Oh well. The linked article about today’s ruling includes this:
Three federal appeals court judges ruled that Navarro had “not shown that his appeal presents substantial questions of law or fact likely to result in reversal, a new trial, a sentence that does not include a term of imprisonment, or a reduced sentence of imprisonment that is less than the amount of time already served plus the expected duration of the appeal process.”
That seems to suggest Navarro would get a quick NO if he tries for an en banc hearing from the DC Circuit or even a stay. Barring the Justice at SCOTUS who receives his “emergency” I don’t wanna go to jail! Pretty please help me! motion providing a last second reprieve ole Peter is about to get a too-short lesson on life in not the White House but the “Big House.” The one with many (with bars) doors.
Let’s all remember Navarro did more than promote Trump’s Big Lie. He was part of crafting it, and the multi-faceted plan to keep Trump in power. Including the Insurrection riot on Jan. 6. THAT has been at the heart of his prosecution for Contempt of Congress:
Federal prosecutors said ahead of his sentencing that Navarro “like the rioters at the Capitol, put politics, not country, first, and stonewalled Congress’s investigation” and “chose allegiance to former President Donald Trump over the rule of law.”
“You are not a victim,” U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta told Navarro at his sentencing in January. “You are not the object of a political prosecution — you aren’t. You have received every process you are due.”
As far as I’m concerned he and the other architects should rot in prison for the rest of their lives. I dearly hope the time will come when Navarro and others stand trial for specific crimes related to the insurrection itself once Trump’s trial is done. Four measly months for Contempt of Congress isn’t nearly enough, but it’s better than nothing. Now it’s time for those in the appellate system who’ve allowed Bannon to walk free to put his ass behind bars too.
Mr Green Bay Sweep, what a stupid ass
Now, just go after all the others involved in the plot. He has set a nice precedent for charging and convicting them as well.
If he did it, they did too.
Usually people like Navarro would have been charged and prosecuted for Jan.6 as DOJ worked its way up to Trump. Some, like Meadows and I’m guessing Navarro too would have become cooperating witnesses against Trump to avoid, or at least greatly reduce jail time. However, because Garland dicked around for so long before appointing Smith as Special Counsel with time so short Smith had to pare things down and only formally charge Trump – in order to get a trial of Trump done before the election. Now, because of SCOTUS running interference for Trump that might not happen either!
On top of THAT there was news earlier today that the feds up in SDNY had evidence related to Alvin Bragg’s NYC trial. I’m still trying to learn more but it doesn’t seem like it was part of what Bragg relied on but Trump’s lawyers knew it was there and asked for it. Back in January. It seems there was delay in getting it all handed over which means Bragg is only now able to both go through it himself and hand discovery over to the defense so THAT trial is going to be delayed for at least a month.
I swear, except for Smith and his team it seems like DOJ is doing every goddamned thing it can to prevent Trump from going on trial! I’m starting to think Garland is secretly a member of The Federalist Society. Or long ago became a collaborator. Yes, I’m in tinfoil hat territory but I can’t help but think that when he was nominated to SCOTUS by Obama it was certain powerful GOP Senators doing the “advice” part of “advise and consent” who said Garland was someone “acceptable” and wouldn’t face major challenges during confirmation. Of course that was before McConnell said NO Obama nominee would be considered but it does now make me wonder why those GOPer Senators were fine with Garland and even publicly approved him in the first place. They are/were pals with Leonard Leo. Did those Senators know something we don’t?