Former economic adviser and supporter of former US President Donald Trump, Peter Navarro, has been charged with “interfering with the investigative prerogatives of Congress” in connection with the storming of the US Capitol on January 6, 2021. The ex-adviser was arrested and is scheduled to appear before a judge on Friday afternoon (local time), the federal court in Washington announced on Friday.
The 72-year-old was charged for refusing to testify and provide documents before the congressional investigative committee. Navarro made no secret of his role in the maneuvers to reverse the 2020 election results, even mentioning the former president’s support for those plans,” U committee chair Bennie Thompson said.
According to the report, Navarro also worked with Donald Trump’s former political adviser Steve Bannon to “delay congressional certification” and change the election result. Bannon was the first of Trump’s close associates to be charged with “obstructing” the parliamentary inquiry last November. Navarro faces a prison sentence of between 30 days and a year and a fine of up to $100,000 for each charge.
On Tuesday, the former adviser had sued the committee, saying the investigation was unlawful and the committee had no authority to subpoena him. However, a federal judge on Thursday ordered Navarro to refil his lawsuit alleging a procedural error.
On January 6, Trump called on his supporters in an incendiary speech to march to the Capitol and fight “whatever the hell”. The right-wing populist also repeated his frequently refuted allegations that massive electoral fraud robbed him of a second term. The storming of the Capitol with five dead caused horror worldwide and is considered a black day in the history of US democracy.
