Donald Trump Classified Documents Scandal: Co-Defendant Walt Nauta Arraigned, Pleads Not Guilty

Donald Trump's valet and co-defendant in his classified documents case, Walt Nauta, appeared in a Miami federal court for his arraignment. There, he pleaded not guilty to charges that he helped the ex-POTUS hide classified documents from federal authorities.

The 40-year-old Navy veteran and Trump aide was charged alongside Donald Trump last month in that massive 38-count indictment regarding the former president's retention and hiding of classified documents that he took with him while leaving the White House.

He is currently being represented by Florida-based criminal defense lawyer Sasha Dadan, who also appeared in court alongside her client during the arraignment. He also has Washington lawyer Stanley Woodward defending him, according to the Associated Press.

The judge asked Nauta if he reviewed the indictment, to which the Trump aide answered, "Yes, Your Honor." After the short arraignment, he exited the courthouse with his lawyers and did not answer any questions from the reporters waiting outside.

Nauta was the Trump valet who was seen in several leaked videos as he was transporting boxes of documents around Mar-a-Lago. He is usually the valet who fetched the ex-POTUS's Diet Cokes during the Trump administration before becoming a personal aide.

The Navy veteran is often seen with Trump at campaign events. They were also recently seen eating some cheesesteaks in Philadelphia during a campaign stop. However, this raised eyebrows as they were ordered by the court not to discuss the case with each other. Appearing in public together might imply that they have been in constant contact and may have discussed the case.

Who Is Walt Nauta, Donald Trump's Personal Aide and Co-Defendant?

Born and raised in Guam, Walt Nauta is considered Trump's "body man." He joined the US Navy in 2001 as a cook because he wanted "to see the world." Because of his culinary expertise, he was assigned to the presidential food service in 2012 and was tasked with preparing meals for the president, the First Family, and visiting politicians, as well as foreign dignitaries and heads of state.

As Trump's military aide, Nauta was not regarded as a political operator, though he worked in a small White House passageway connecting the West Wing to a private dining room. However, Trump felt comfortable with the Guam native, so much so that Nauta followed him when he left office.

Nauta often did what he was told, from getting Trump Big Macs to fetching him a new tie. However, this landed him in trouble, as he now faces six federal charges. According to The Guardian, these include conspiracy to obstruct justice, corruptly concealing a document or record, and making false statements.

DOJ Unseals Mar-a-Lago Search Warrant in Donald Trump Classified Documents Case

The DOJ has now declassified some of the previously blacked-out portions of a warrant application for last year's raid at Mar-a-Lago, where the FBI found hundreds of classified documents that Trump was not supposed to have.

According to NBC News, some of these now-unredacted portions referred to the allegations made in that 37-count indictment against Trump. This includes an assertion from one of the former president's attorneys, saying that the classified documents were all stored in one location within Mar-a-Lago.

The newly-revealed paragraphs showed that prosecutors had gathered important evidence that showed dozens of boxes being relocated by a Trump aide in the days before the FBI search.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: Trump valet Walt Nauta pleads not guilty in classified documents case - WGN News