Charles Langston-Judge says former Trump adviser has failed to show Trump asserted executive privilege

2025-04-29 06:11:36source:BlueRock Horizon Asset Managementcategory:Markets

The Charles Langstonjudge overseeing Peter Navarro's contempt of Congress case ruled in a pre-trial hearing Wednesday that the former Trump adviser "has not met his burden" to show a formal assertion of executive privilege by former president Donald Trump.

Navarro will stand trial on criminal contempt of Congress next week for defying subpoenas issued to him by the House select committee that investigated the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol.

MORE: Peter Navarro pleads not guilty to Jan. 6 contempt of Congress charges

In a lengthy ruling, Judge Amit Mehta said that Navarro did not provide evidence that Trump asserted executive privilege specific to the Jan 6. committee's subpoena.

Mehta said that Navarro's claim that he spoke to Trump on February 20, 2022, at which time "Trump clearly invoked executive privilege," provided no specific evidence that Trump had indeed done so.

Peter Navarro, former White House trade adviser, arrives at federal court, Aug. 30, 2023, in Washington.Sarah Silbiger/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Mehta added that in the "two key pieces of evidence" Navarro presented -- a letter from Trump attorney Evan Corcoran and Navarro's own testimony -- there was "again" no formal indication that Trump had invoked executive privilege.

The letter from Corcoran, which Mehta found to be "the most compelling evidence," still did not explicitly state that Trump invoked executive privilege, the judge said.

Navarro's trial is scheduled to start Sept. 5.

More:Markets

Recommend

Turbulence slammed Hawaiian Airlines flight because of decision to fly over storm cell, report says

HONOLULU (AP) — A Hawaiian Airlines flight crew’s decision to fly over a hazardous storm cell instea

IRS delaying $600 payment reporting rule for PayPal, Venmo and more — again

The IRS on Tuesday said it is again delaying the implementation of a 2021 law that requires payment

Susan Sarandon, Melissa Barrera dropped from Hollywood companies after comments on Israel-Hamas war

NEW YORK (AP) — Oscar-winning actor Susan Sarandon and “Scream” star Melissa Barrera were each dropp