Waltine “Walt” Nauta, a former US Navy petty officer cook, was recently charged in Florida for his alleged involvement in concealing classified documents. Nauta had served in the White House as part of the Navy-operated White House Mess staff in 2012. During Donald Trump’s presidency, Nauta became the president’s personal valet. Following Trump’s departure from office, Nauta joined his team at Mar-A-Lago. He ended his Navy service in September 2021 and is currently employed by Trump’s Save America PAC and his 2024 presidential campaign. Nauta is refuting all the charges brought against him.
After the FBI initiated an investigation into Donald Trump’s suspected mishandling of classified documents in the previous year, Walt Nauta was initially summoned as a witness. However, his status changed from a witness to a suspect by the autumn of that year. On June 8, 2023, Nauta, along with the former president, was formally charged with multiple offenses linked to the documents in question and their purported concealment.
Nauta’s charges include conspiracy to obstruct justice, making false statements, as well as withholding and hiding documents. According to prosecutors, when Trump’s legal team conducted a search for documents that were taken from the White House at Mar-A-Lago, Nauta allegedly concealed boxes of paperwork from them. Additionally, during an interview with investigators, he is accused of providing false information.
Despite being indicted alongside Trump, Nauta experienced two delays in his arraignment. Eventually, on July 6, the arraignment took place at the federal courthouse in Miami. Nauta remained silent during the hearing, while his attorney entered a plea of not guilty on his behalf.
US District Judge Aileen Cannon has scheduled the initial trial date for August 14. However, prosecutors are seeking a postponement until December. At the same time, Trump’s trial, initially set for July 14, is expected to be delayed as well due to legal experts engaging in discussions about the case’s specifics.
