Former Donald Trump adviser Peter Navarro has made a long-shot request to the Supreme Court in an attempt to avoid prison. Navarro had previously asked the Supreme Court to allow him to remain free while he challenged his contempt of Congress conviction, but Chief Justice John Roberts denied that request last month. As a result, Navarro reported to prison and has served 15 days of his four-month sentence.
Navarro's attorneys have now submitted an emergency request to Justice Neil Gorsuch, arguing that pausing the lower court's ruling is necessary as Navarro is not a flight risk and is raising substantial legal questions. They believe that Navarro's case could lead to the reversal of his conviction or a new trial.
However, similar appeals to two lower courts were previously rejected. Chief Justice Roberts explained his decision by stating that Navarro had forfeited any challenge to the idea that he could avoid appearing before Congress, even if he was entitled to executive privilege. Roberts found no basis to disagree with the lower courts' determination that Navarro had forfeited those arguments.
Navarro was sentenced to four months in prison after a jury found him guilty of failing to respond to congressional subpoenas related to the House's investigation of the January 6, 2021, US Capitol attack. While requests like Navarro's are rarely granted, his legal team is hopeful that the Supreme Court will review his case and potentially reconsider his prison sentence.
