Stan Woodward, Navarro’s defense, countered with intrigue. A seeming oversight in the government’s case: Where exactly was Navarro during the deposition? “A missing puzzle piece,” Woodward quipped, suggesting this gap might sow seeds of doubt among the jurors.
Historical Backdrop and What’s Next
The saga takes a deeper hue when considering Navarro’s consistent defiance. Indicted in June 2022 for contempt, he has always maintained an armor of immunity, citing executive privilege and qualified testimonial immunity. But the court’s gavel struck that armor last week, with U.S. District Judge Amit P. Mehta ruling that Navarro’s defense held no water.
Highlighting the government’s dedication to its case, three witnesses took the stand on Wednesday, meticulously detailing Congress’ steps to garner testimony from Navarro. Navarro’s defense, however, remained silent, offering no counter.
Assistant U.S. Attorney John Crabb Jr. put it succinctly: “The crux isn’t where he was. It’s where he wasn’t.”
Other Players in the Drama
Navarro isn’t the sole actor in this ongoing drama. Steven Bannon, another former White House aide, had his own rendezvous with a D.C. federal jury in July 2022, resulting in a conviction on similar charges. While he received a four-month sentence, an appeal has paused its execution.
