Peter Navarro's Potential Prison Experience: Hearing the Roar of the Lions

Former Trump White House adviser Peter Navarro, 74, is facing the possibility of spending his next few months in a minimum-security federal Bureau of Prisons satellite camp in Miami. Unless he receives a last-minute reprieve from the Supreme Court, Navarro will be the first former White House official ever jailed for contempt of Congress. He is preparing to report to the camp on Tuesday morning, where he hopes to work in air conditioning and sleep in a dormitory for "elderly" male inmates located next to a zoo.

Sam Mangel, Navarro’s prison consultant, mentioned that you can not only hear the lions but also hear them roar every morning.

Mangel told CNN that Navarro is feeling nervous about going into an unknown world, regardless of the length of his sentence.

Mangel is involved in a small legal service industry that assists wealthy convicts and their loved ones in getting ready for prison. He mentioned that he had a conversation with Navarro on Monday.

Navarro was given a four-month prison sentence for not complying with congressional subpoenas for documents and testimony related to the investigation of the January 6, 2021, US Capitol attack.

Navarro is appealing to the Supreme Court before turning himself in on Tuesday. Steve Bannon, another Trump adviser, has also been sentenced to four months in prison for contempt of Congress in the same investigation. However, his prison report date is on hold as he pursues appeals.

"It's a historic moment, and will set a precedent for future White House aides who are subpoenaed by Congress," said Stanley Brand, a former House general counsel now representing Navarro as one of his defense lawyers.

If the Supreme Court does not step in to delay his prison report date, Navarro may not have to serve the full four months of his sentence. Federal laws allow for early release of inmates, so Mangel predicts Navarro may only serve around 90 days.

Inside the prison, Navarro will need to participate in classes and find a job. Mangel has advised him to aim for positions like a law library clerk or an orderly to stay cool in the air conditioning as Miami's temperature rises.

Navarro, due to his age, will request to stay in a dormitory for elderly inmates with around 80 men sleeping in bunk beds. According to Mangel, the dorm lacks privacy and can feel intimidating, but assures that Navarro will be safe.

Mangel mentioned that two more clients of his are currently serving time at the same prison camp as Navarro. One is a doctor and the other is involved in politics, but Mangel chooses not to reveal their names. They both plan to assist Navarro in getting used to his new surroundings.

The federal correctional facility in Miami where Navarro is being sent is one of the oldest prison camps in the country. It houses less than 200 inmates and the buildings are showing signs of age. A significant number of the inmates come from Puerto Rico, as this facility is the closest one operated by the Bureau of Prisons to the territory.

Inside the prison, Navarro will have the opportunity to make over eight hours of phone calls each month and will also be able to use email. Additionally, he will have access to news from several TVs within the facility, with half of them broadcasting in Spanish and the other half in English, as mentioned by Mangel.

This photo from the US Federal Bureau of Prisons shows FCI Miami, a low security federal correctional institution with an adjacent minimum security satellite camp.

This photo from the US Federal Bureau of Prisons shows FCI Miami, a low security federal correctional institution with an adjacent minimum security satellite camp.

US Federal Bureau of Prisons

DOJ asks Supreme Court to reject Navarro’s last-ditch effort

The Justice Department asked the Supreme Court on Monday to reject Navarro’s last-ditch effort to avoid reporting to prison.

Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar has described Navarro's arguments as "meritless" and has advised the court to reject his emergency appeal. She believes that his challenge is unlikely to lead to a reversal of his conviction.

Prelogar informed the court that Navarro's arguments can be categorized into two main groups, neither of which are likely to result in a reversal or a new trial. She emphasized that Navarro's primary claim, which revolves around a federal judge's decision to exclude his executive privilege argument during the trial, is not expected to change the outcome of his criminal case.

Prelogar clarified that even if the applicant successfully claims privilege, it does not justify their complete non-compliance with the subpoena. Navarro has lost the ability to argue against these points, all of which stand on their own as reasons to dismiss his claims.

CNN's Devan Cole also contributed to this report.

Editor's P/S:

The impending imprisonment of Peter Navarro for contempt of Congress marks a significant event in American history. This unprecedented action underscores the importance of holding former government officials accountable for their actions and sends a clear message that no one is above the law. Navarro's sentence highlights the critical role of Congress in exercising its oversight responsibilities and protecting the integrity of its investigations.

As Navarro prepares to serve his four-month sentence, concerns arise regarding the conditions he will face. While his age may grant him access to special accommodations such as a dormitory for elderly inmates, it is important to remember that this facility is still a prison environment. The lack of privacy, potential intimidating atmosphere, and limited contact with the outside world will undoubtedly present challenges. Nevertheless, it is reassuring to know that Navarro will have access to basic amenities such as air conditioning, healthcare, and opportunities for rehabilitation during his incarceration. roars of lions serving as an ironic soundtrack to Navarro's new reality.