- Peter Navarro will serve four months at the Miami Federal Correctional Institution
- He spoke to reporters in the parking lot of a strip mall before reporting to jail
Former Trump aide Peter Navarro reported to prison on Tuesday, claiming his prison sentence was a “crippling blow” to the US principle of the separation of powers.
Navarro, 74, served as a trade adviser during Trump’s presidency and is the first senior member of his administration to be jailed in connection with efforts to overturn the 2020 election results.
He told reporters gathered in a parking lot across the street from the Miami Federal Correctional Institution that he would serve his time “with pride.”
“When I walk into that prison today,” he said, “the legal system as it stands today will have dealt a crippling blow to the constitutional separation of powers and executive privilege.”
The setting, outside a strip mall next to a Shell gas station, was an everyday backdrop for such a provocative speech and for a man who, as White House trade adviser, was once a regular in the Oval Office.
Peter Navarro ditched his usual Navy suit for casual clothes and spoke to reporters outside a Miami strip mall, across from the federal prison where he was due to report on Tuesday
Navarro is expected to serve four months at the Miami Federal Correctional Institution
It was reminiscent of Rudi Giuliani’s press conference outside the grounds of Four Seasons Total Landscaping, outside Philadelphia, days after the 2020 election.
Navarro dressed for the role, trading his usual uniform, consisting of a red tie and navy blue suit, for a bomber jacket and black T-shirt.
He will serve four months after being convicted of two felony counts of contempt of Congress.
Navarro declined to cooperate with the House of Representatives investigation into the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, citing “executive privilege.”
However, courts up to the Supreme Court rejected that argument, saying there was no evidence Trump had ever invoked the privilege.
On Tuesday, he said he would draw strength from his time inside.
“I’ll walk in there proudly and do my time,” he said. “I’m going to take strength from this: Donald John Trump is the nominee.”
After Trump’s defeat to Joe Biden, Navarro emerged as an outspoken proponent of conspiracy theories that the election was stolen.
He compiled dossiers to support the claims with titles such as ‘The Art of Stealing’ and ‘The Immaculate Deception’.
Navarro told reporters he would “walk in proudly doing my time” Monday morning
Navarro compiled his own dossiers alleging widespread election fraud after Trump lost
Navarro was President Donald Trump’s trade adviser. They are seen together in 2020 investigating an all-electric pickup truck on the South Lawn of the White House
As he prepared for prison he returned to one of his favorite themes.
“The second and related story has to do with the rise of the rule of law and the partisan weaponization of our legal system, which we have seen come to this country with a vengeance since the arrival of Donald John Trump as president,” he said.
“And it’s getting worse.”
Navarro was the second Trump aide to be convicted on impeachment by Congress.
Former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon also refused to comply with a subpoena and was sentenced to four months in prison, but he remains free while he appeals.
FCI Miami is a low-security federal prison in the United States for male inmates in Florida
Notable current or former prisoners held amid the lush green lawns and palm trees include Panama’s former dictator, Manuel Noriega
Navarro’s last hope lay with the Supreme Court.
But on Monday, Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, who is hearing emergency appeals from Washington, DC, said he had “no basis to disagree” with lower courts that had decided there was no reason to halt the ruling. with the decision of the Court of Appeal.
FCI Miami is a low-security men’s prison.
Notable current or former prisoners held among the lush green lawns and palm trees include former dictator of Panama Manuel Noriega, Bill Campbell, the former mayor of Atlanta who served for two years after being convicted of tax evasion, and Joel Greenberg, Rep.’s employee Matt Gaetz, convicted of sex trafficking, identity theft and wire fraud charges.