Former Trump adviser Peter Navarro has been ordered to report to prison after his request to remain free while he appeals his conviction was denied.
Last month, Navarro was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Amit Mehta to four months in jail after he was found guilty of two counts of contempt of Congress for defying a subpoena related to the congressional investigation into the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol insurrection.
Navarro’s attorney argued at the time that he should be released as they pursue an appeal of the conviction.
But, on Thursday Mehta said the former Trump aide’s argument that he might succeed on appeal was not convincing enough to postpone his four-month prison sentence.
“Defendant’s request for release pending appeal is denied,” Mehta wrote in his ruling. “Unless this Order is stayed or vacated by the D.C. Circuit, Defendant shall report to the designated Bureau of Prisons (BOP) facility on the date ordered by the BOP.”
Navarro is the second top Trump aide to be convicted on contempt of Congress charges. The other is former adviser Steve Bannon who was also sentenced to four months.
However, Bannon was allowed to stay out of prison while his attorneys appeal the conviction.
