Donald Trump’s loyal advisor charged with withholding classified documents and resisting authorities

A photo taken during a golf tournament a few weeks ago is going around the world. A man leans towards Donald Trump and points at his white tank top.

Trump’s loyal adviser, Walt Nauta, has learned the day before that he is being investigated as an accomplice in the most serious case against Trump to date: having withheld classified documents and actively resisted the authorities.

Nauta has been charged, and now the prosecution has published the charges against him. He could be the evidence that brings Trump down.

Stand ready at the door

The photo from the golf tournament is described as a symbol of the closeness and familiarity between the two, according to the newspaper The New York Times.

The 40-year-old is described as quiet, conscientious and shy of conflict, according to the newspaper The Washington Post.

Few have said the same about his boss.

Walt Nauta’s aunt claims to the newspaper that he only followed the instructions from Trump.

Nauta is now accused of false testimony and of having conspired against the authorities and actively hiding classified documents.

– The most dangerous for Trump

Sugar-free cola

The two met at Mass in the White House. Walt Nauta then became a permanent assistant to the then president in the Oval Office.

When Trump was thirsty, Nauta was his regular “diet coke” assistant, the magazine writes New York Intelligencer. He stood outside the door of the Oval Office and was waiting ready with Trump’s jacket and everything he needed, employees said The Washington Post.

When Trump quit, the military veteran left the Navy and became a civilian, in order to serve Trump further in his new existence in Florida.

There, among other tasks, he has had to move and carry boxes. It might have tripped him up.

Got a dramatic message

Risking prison

Trump is accused of taking classified documents home to the Mar-a-Lago Club in Florida. He is also said to have opposed giving them back after his presidency.

This is described as the grave difference between Trump’s case and the cases of President Joe Biden and former Vice President Mike Pence.

These two also had classified documents with them, but cooperated with the authorities afterwards.

If Trump is convicted, he risks a long prison sentence.

At the same time, he wants to become the Republican presidential candidate.

Prosecutors allege that Trump asked Walt Nauta to move boxes of documents to hide them from the FBI, the grand jury and Trump’s lawyer.

Had secret documents in the bathroom

Admitted

According to the newspaper The Washington Post Nauta initially denied any knowledge of the classified documents.

But in other interrogations, he allegedly admitted to moving boxes on Trump’s instructions. According to the newspaper, there is video footage from Florida that confirms this.

He may thus have given the prosecution the necessary evidence that Trump has knowingly and willfully hidden the classified documents.

The investigators found the documents in several places in Mar-a-Lago, including in a party hall, in a bathroom and in a shower, writes New York Times. The US Department of Justice stated on Friday that this could put US national security at risk.

Neither Trump’s spokesperson nor Nauta’s spokesperson would respond to The Washington Post’s questions about Nauta’s service to Trump. But Trump’s spokesperson boasts Nauta’s “talent, unique experience and professionalism” to the skies:

– There is no one else who is more qualified to have this job than Mr. Nauta, he says to The Washington Post.