Challenges in the Life of Peter Navarro in a Detailed Timeline

A closer look at the defining struggles that shaped Peter Navarro's life and career.

Peter Navarro is an American economist and author known for his role in the Trump administration. He served as the senior counselor for trade and manufacturing. Previously, he directed the White House National Trade Council and the Office of Trade and Manufacturing Policy, advising President Trump on trade and economic policy. His work often focused on issues related to trade imbalances and manufacturing competitiveness.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

1993: Ran for San Diego City Council

In 1993, Peter Navarro ran for San Diego city council, losing the election.

1994: Ran for San Diego County Board of Supervisors

In 1994, Peter Navarro ran for San Diego County board of supervisors, losing the election.

1996: Ran for 49th Congressional District

In 1996, Peter Navarro ran for the 49th Congressional District as the Democratic Party nominee, but lost to Republican Brian Bilbray.

2001: Ran in Special Election for San Diego City Council Seat

In 2001, Peter Navarro ran in a special election to fill the District 6 San Diego city council seat, but lost.

September 2017: Office of Trade and Manufacturing Policy Folded into National Economic Council

In September 2017, the Office of Trade and Manufacturing Policy was integrated into the National Economic Council (NEC), resulting in Peter Navarro reporting to NEC director Gary Cohn, viewed as a demotion due to clashes between Navarro and Cohn on trade issues.

February 2018: Release of Infrastructure Plan

In February 2018, President Trump released a $1.5 trillion version of an infrastructure plan, which was initially designed by Peter Navarro and Wilbur Ross. However, the Republican-controlled Congress displayed little enthusiasm for the proposal.

2018: Influence in Initiating the China-United States Trade War

In 2018, Peter Navarro played a significant role in urging the Trump administration to begin the China-United States trade war. He incorrectly predicted that no countries would retaliate against U.S. tariffs, but retaliatory tariffs were implemented and the World Trade Organization rejected the U.S. tariffs.

August 2019: False Assertion about Tariffs

In August 2019, Peter Navarro claimed that the tariffs of the ongoing China-United States trade war were not harming Americans. PolitiFact rated this assertion "Pants on Fire," citing extensive evidence to the contrary.

August 2020: Cancellation of Ventilator Contract and Investigation

In August 2020, administration officials terminated a contract negotiated by Peter Navarro for the purchase of 42,900 ventilators. The cancellation was "subject to internal HHS investigation and legal review" due to alleged overpayment.

December 2020: Hatch Act Violation Ruling

In December 2020, the United States Office of Special Counsel determined that Peter Navarro repeatedly violated the Hatch Act by using his official position to speak against Joe Biden during the presidential campaign, thus attempting to influence elections.

2020: Sought to overturn the 2020 presidential election

In 2020, Navarro sought to overturn the 2020 presidential election and advanced conspiracy theories of election fraud.

2020: Involvement in COVID-19 Response

In 2020, during his final year in the Trump administration, Navarro was involved in the administration's COVID-19 response, and was also named the national Defense Production Act policy.

January 20, 2021: Chinese Government Imposes Sanctions

On January 20, 2021, the Chinese government imposed sanctions against Peter Navarro and 27 other Trump administration officials for allegedly interfering in China's internal affairs and undermining China-U.S. relations. The sanctions included a ban from entering China, Hong Kong, and Macau, and restrictions on associated companies and institutions doing business in China.

March 2021: Congressional Investigation into Federal Funds Allocation

The Washington Post reported in March 2021 that congressional investigators were examining whether Peter Navarro had directed over $1 billion in federal funds for medical supplies to companies he selected, after his recommendations had been rejected by President Trump.

February 9, 2022: House Select Committee on the January 6 Attack subpoenaed Navarro

On February 9, 2022, the House Select Committee on the January 6 Attack subpoenaed Navarro to provide documents and testimony, but he refused.

February 2022: Subpoenaed by Congress

In February 2022, Navarro was subpoenaed twice by Congress after seeking to overturn the 2020 presidential election.

February 2022: Navarro claims Trump told him not to testify in February 2022.

In a pretrial hearing in August 2023, Navarro claimed that Trump had told him in a February 2022 phone call not to testify to the House committee, but failed to produce any evidence of what Trump actually said in the conversation.

April 6, 2022: House of Representatives voted to hold Navarro in contempt.

On April 6, 2022, the House of Representatives voted to hold Navarro and Dan Scavino in contempt for their refusals to testify before the House Select Committee.

May 2022: Navarro subpoenaed by federal grand jury.

In May 2022, Navarro said he had been subpoenaed by a federal grand jury and ordered to surrender any documents he had related to the January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol.

June 2, 2022: Indicted for Contempt of Congress

On June 2, 2022, Navarro was indicted on two counts of contempt of Congress after refusing to comply with subpoenas.

July 15, 2022: Judge signals Navarro's treatment at outset of criminal case was "unreasonably harsh".

On July 15, 2022, U.S. district judge Amit Mehta signaled that he agreed that the treatment of Navarro at the outset of the criminal case was "unreasonably harsh," noting that the government did not offer self-surrender to Navarro.

January 2023: Judge Mehta denied Navarro's effort to dismiss the charges against him.

In January 2023, Judge Mehta denied Navarro's effort to dismiss the charges against him, writing that Navarro failed to provide evidence of Trump asserting executive privilege.

August 2023: Judge ruled Navarro could not claim executive privilege.

In August 2023, Judge Mehta ruled that Navarro could not claim an "executive privilege" not to testify before the House committee. After the ruling against him, Navarro tried to grab a demonstrator's "Trump lost" sign from her at a press conference outside the courthouse.

September 5, 2023: A jury was seated for Navarro's trial.

On September 5, 2023, a jury was seated for Navarro's trial, where three former congressional committee staffers testified as prosecution witnesses.

September 7, 2023: Convicted on Contempt Charges

On September 7, 2023, Navarro was convicted on both counts of contempt of Congress.

January 16, 2024: Federal judge denied Navarro's request for a new trial.

On January 16, 2024, a federal judge denied Navarro's request for a new trial following his conviction on both counts of contempt of Congress.

January 25, 2024: Sentenced to Jail

On January 25, 2024, Navarro was sentenced to four months in jail and fined $9,500 for contempt of Congress.

February 2024: Judge Kollar-Kotelly considers holding Navarro in contempt.

In February 2024, Judge Kollar-Kotelly said she would appoint a magistrate judge and consider holding Navarro in contempt to ensure his compliance with turning over presidential records.