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In the secret documents affair, the accused butler of former US President Donald Trump (77), Walt Nauta (40), pleaded not guilty. Nauta appeared in federal court in Miami, Florida, on Thursday, a journalist from the local news agency AFP reported. The 40-year-old rejected the allegations against him at the hearing through his lawyer. He also waived his right to have the indictment read out.
Nauta was accused along with Trump in the documents affair in early June. He allegedly helped the former president hide secret government files from his time in the White House at his luxury Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. For example, he carried boxes from one room to another in Mar-a-Lago. Nauta faces six charges, including conspiracy to obstruct justice, concealment of official documents and false testimony.
Loyal Trump companion
The Navy veteran worked as a butler at the White House during the Trump presidency (2017 to 2021). He succeeded the Republican in Mar-a-Lago after his term ended. Even after the indictment in early June, Nauta was regularly seen next to Trump. However, a judge has banned the two from talking about the case.
Trump had already pleaded not guilty to all 37 charges in June in the documents affair. The former president and leading Republican nominee for the 2024 presidential election has been accused of illegally storing classified national defense files at Mar-a-Lago after leaving the presidency.
If convicted, Trump faces a long prison sentence. The 77-year-old rejects all allegations and describes the investigation against him as an attempt by the administration of President Joe Biden (80) to politically neutralize him before the 2024 election.
The responsible federal judge had scheduled the trial against Trump to start in mid-August. But that will likely be delayed. The background is the complicated issue of handling classified documents as evidence. (AFP)
Source: Blick
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
