Trump Aide Pleads Not Guilty To Concealing Classified Documents, Obstructing Justice

An aide to former President Donald Trump pleaded not guilty to charges related to mishandling classified documents and obstruction of justice.

Walt Nauta, a 40-year-old Navy veteran, was indicted as Trump’s co-defendant in special counsel Jack Smith’s investigation into the former president’s handling of documents after leaving the White House.

Nauta pled not guilty in Miami on Thursday to the six criminal charges he faces, including conspiracy to obstruct justice, withholding and corruptly concealing documents, and making false representations. The aide’s previous court appearance was delayed. 

Trump, who was arraigned last month, pled not guilty to 37 charges he is facing related to Smith’s investigation. The former president has defended Nauta, who was his valet as president. 

“I have just learned that the ‘Thugs’ from the Department of Injustice will be Indicting a wonderful man, Walt Nauta, a member of the U.S. Navy, who served proudly with me in the White House, retired as Senior Chief, and then transitioned into private life as a personal aide,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “He has done a fantastic job! They are trying to destroy his life, like the lives of so many others, hoping that he will say bad things about ‘Trump.’ He is strong, brave, and a Great Patriot. The FBI and DOJ are CORRUPT!”

Both Trump and Nauta could face prison time if convicted of the charges. 

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The trial could happen as soon as August, but some analysts say the date could be moved to later. The initial date of August 14 was set by U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon, a Trump nominee, who was appointed to preside over the documents case. 

Smith said that Trump would be presumed innocent until proven guilty and have a “speedy trial.” 

The former president, currently campaigning to be the Republican nominee in 2024, has said the charges against him are politically motivated. 

“The ridiculous and baseless indictment of me by the Biden administration’s weaponized department of injustice will go down as among the most horrific abuses of power in the history of our country,” Trump said in his first speech since the indictment against him was announced. “Many people have said that; Democrats have even said it. This vicious persecution is a travesty of justice.”