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 who served as a senior counselor for trade and manufacturing to President Donald Trump since January 2025. Previously, during Trump's first administration, he directed the White House National Trade Council and the Office of Trade and Manufacturing Policy. He is known for his protectionist views on trade and his advocacy for policies aimed at strengthening American manufacturing.

Sections (5)

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

1992: Ran for mayor of San Diego

In 1992, Peter Navarro ran for mayor of San Diego, finishing first in the primary but losing in the runoff to Susan Golding. He also paid fines for violating election laws.

1993: Ran for San Diego city council

In 1993, Peter Navarro ran unsuccessfully for San Diego city council.

1994: Ran for San Diego County board of supervisors

In 1994, Peter Navarro ran for San Diego County board of supervisors, but lost.

1996: Ran for 49th Congressional District

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

August 2019: Navarro claims tariffs are not hurting Americans

In August 2019, Peter Navarro asserted that the tariffs from the ongoing China–United States trade war were not harming Americans. PolitiFact rated Navarro's assertion "Pants on Fire," citing substantial evidence to the contrary.

January 29, 2020: Navarro issues memo warning of pandemic

On January 29, 2020, Peter Navarro issued a memo warning that the novel coronavirus could evolve into a full-blown pandemic and argued for travel restrictions from China.

February 23, 2020: Navarro memo predicts high COVID-19 death toll

On February 23, 2020, Peter Navarro wrote another memo estimating that COVID-19 could infect up to 100 million Americans, resulting in 1-2 million deaths. He also called for a supplemental appropriation of at least $3 billion.

August 2020: Contract for ventilators negotiated by Navarro terminated

In August 2020, a contract to purchase 42,900 ventilators negotiated by Peter Navarro was terminated due to concerns of overpayment and subject to internal investigation.

2020: Sought to overturn the 2020 presidential election

In 2020, Peter Navarro sought to overturn the 2020 presidential election, leading to legal challenges.

January 20, 2021: China imposes sanctions on Navarro

On January 20, 2021, the Chinese government imposed sanctions against Peter Navarro, along with 27 other Trump administration officials, for interfering in China's internal affairs and undermining China-U.S. relations.

February 9, 2022: Subpoenaed by House Select Committee

On February 9, 2022, the House Select Committee on the January 6 Attack subpoenaed Peter Navarro to provide documents and testimony. He refused to comply, claiming executive privilege, despite lacking supporting evidence.

February 2022: Subpoenaed by Congress

In February 2022, Peter Navarro was subpoenaed twice by Congress regarding his efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election.

April 6, 2022: House of Representatives Votes to Hold Navarro in Contempt

On April 6, 2022, the House of Representatives voted to hold Peter Navarro in contempt for refusing to testify before the House Select Committee.

May 2022: Subpoenaed by Federal Grand Jury

In May 2022, Peter Navarro announced that he had been subpoenaed by a federal grand jury and ordered to surrender documents related to the January 6, 2021, attack. He unsuccessfully sought to block the subpoenas.

June 2, 2022: Indicted on Contempt of Congress Charges

On June 2, 2022, Peter Navarro was indicted on two counts of contempt of Congress for refusing to comply with a subpoena to produce documents and testimony. He was arrested at Reagan National Airport.

August 2022: DOJ Sues Navarro to Produce Emails

In August 2022, the Department of Justice sued Peter Navarro in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, seeking to compel him to produce official business-related emails from a personal ProtonMail account that he used to conduct White House business.

January 2023: Judge Denies Dismissal of Charges

In January 2023, Judge Mehta denied Peter Navarro's effort to dismiss the charges against him for contempt of Congress, citing a lack of evidence to support his claim of executive privilege.

March 2023: Ordered to Turn Over Records

In March 2023, U.S. district judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly ordered Peter Navarro to promptly turn over the records to NARA, ruling that Navarro had a "plain" duty to turn over the records.

April 2023: Request for Stay Denied

In April 2023, the D.C. Circuit unanimously denied Peter Navarro's request for a stay of the district court's order to turn over presidential records.

August 2023: Navarro claims Trump told him not to testify

In August 2023, in a pretrial hearing, Peter 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. Following the ruling against him, Navarro tried to grab a "Trump lost" sign from a demonstrator at a press conference.

September 5, 2023: Jury Seated in Contempt Trial

On September 5, 2023, a jury was seated for Peter Navarro's contempt trial. He declined to testify or offer witnesses for the defense and told reporters he expected to face legal bills of $750,000.

September 7, 2023: Convicted on Both Counts of Contempt of Congress

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

2023: Convicted on contempt of Congress charges

In 2023, Peter Navarro was convicted on two counts of contempt of Congress for refusing to comply with a subpoena.

January 16, 2024: Request for New Trial Denied

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

January 25, 2024: Sentenced to Four Months in Jail

On January 25, 2024, Peter Navarro was sentenced to four months in jail and fined $9,500 for contempt of Congress, becoming the first former White House official imprisoned on such a conviction.

February 2024: Contempt of Court Considered

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

March 19, 2024: Reports to Prison

On March 19, 2024, Peter Navarro reported to a minimum-security federal prison in Miami, Florida, to begin serving his four-month sentence for contempt of Congress.

2024: Sentenced to jail for contempt of Congress

In 2024, Peter Navarro was sentenced to four months in jail for contempt of Congress, becoming the first former White House official imprisoned on such a conviction.