FILE – White House trade adviser Peter Navarro listens as President Donald Trump speaks during a news conference at the White House, on Aug. 14, 2020, in Washington.
The Justice Department wants former Trump White House adviser Peter Navarro to spend six months behind bars after being convicted of criminal contempt of Congress for ignoring a subpoena.
Federal prosecutors said in a court filing Thursday that Navarro “deserves severe punishment” that includes a $200,000 fine in addition to prison time. He is scheduled to be sentenced Jan 25.
Watch NBC6 free wherever you are
Navarro, 74, was found guilty last year on two counts of contempt after he rejected a congressional subpoena to testify before the now-defunct Jan. 6 committee and provide relevant documents.
"The Defendant chose allegiance to former President Donald Trump over the rule of law," prosecutors wrote in Thursday's sentencing memo.
Get local news you need to know to start your day with NBC 6's News Headlines newsletter.
“He cloaked his bad-faith strategy of defiance and contempt behind baseless, unfounded invocations of executive privilege and immunity that could not and would never apply to his situation,” they added.
Lawyers for Navarro did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the Justice Department's sentencing request.
Read the full story at NBCNews.com here.
