Well, we told you it would be quick.
Former Trump White House trade adviser Peter Navarro has been convicted by a federal jury in Washington, D.C., on two counts of contempt of Congress. The trial started with jury selection on Tuesday. As I explained at the time, Judge Amit Mehta precluded Navarro’s defense — that he was relying on an invocation of executive privilege by President Trump (for which there was scant evidence) — and rejected Navarro’s legal claim that as an executive official he had immunity from congressional demands for testimony and documents. In the event, the government presented three witnesses to establish the undeniable — i.e., that Navarro did not comply with subpoenas from the House January 6 committee. Navarro presented no witnesses or other evidence and was swiftly found guilty this afternoon.
Judge Mehta set sentencing for January 12, 2024.