A federal jury in Washington began deliberating on Thursday in the criminal trial of Peter Navarro, a top aide to President Donald J. Trump, who is charged with contempt of Congress after he ignored a subpoena last year from the House committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack.
In delivering closing arguments, prosecutors and defense lawyers largely agreed on the facts in the case: that Mr. Navarro balked when ordered to cooperate with the panel.
But in contention was whether that act amounted to a willful defiance of Congress, or a simple misunderstanding between Mr. Navarro and the committee’s staff.
“The defendant, Peter Navarro, made a choice,” said Elizabeth Aloi, a prosecutor.
“He didn’t want to comply and produce documents, and he didn’t want to testify, so he didn’t.”Detailing the House committee’s correspondence with Mr. Navarro, Ms. Aloi said that even after the panel asked Mr. Navarro to explain any opposition he had to giving sworn testimony, he continued to stonewall.
Persons:
Peter Navarro, Donald J, Trump, Navarro, “, ”, Elizabeth Aloi, Aloi, Mr
Locations:
Washington, stonewall