Former Trump advisor Peter Navarro rejects contempt of Congress plea deal

Former Trump White House trade advisor Peter Navarro declined an offer to plead guilty to a contempt of Congress charge, the lead federal prosecutor told a judge on Friday. 

Navarro pleaded not guilty last month to two misdemeanor charges of contempt of Congress after he would not testify to the House Jan. 6 committee about the Capitol riot, citing executive privilege concerns.

Federal prosecutor Elizabeth Aloi on Friday told U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta about Navarro's rejection of the plea bargin, Reuters reported.

The deal would have allowed Navarro to plea guilty to a single count and required him to "comply with the January 6 committee subpoena to the satisfaction of the Justice Department."

During the hearing Friday, Judge Metha expressed concern with how Navarro was arrested and reportedly denied basic rights such as water and a chance to speak with his attorney. 

"It is curious ... at a minimum why the government treated Mr. Navarro's arrest in the way it did," Mehta said. "It is a federal crime, but it is not a violent crime."

"It is a surprise to me that self-surrender was not offered."