Over the course of time, Waltine Nauta has been photographed carrying various items in Donald Trump’s presence, including mobile phones, a red tie, and a briefcase. However, it was cardboard boxes that have now placed the personal aide in legal trouble alongside his boss. Nauta was recently charged as an alleged co-conspirator in the Department of Justice’s case regarding Trump’s handling of classified documents, making him a part of the first federal indictment brought against a former US president.
This indictment has thrust the executive assistant from a behind-the-scenes role to a prominent position in Trump’s circle, as the former president faces multiple criminal cases while campaigning for a second term in the White House. Trump has managed to foster deep loyalty among many of his closest aides over the years. For instance, Keith Schiller, his long-time bodyguard, later took charge of Oval Office operations, John McEntee, a former personal aide, went on to serve in his administration, and Matthew Calamari, a former security guard, is now an executive at the Trump Organization.
The loyalty and refusal to turn on Trump exhibited by Nauta despite the legal pressure he faces could be crucial to the former president’s chances of overcoming the case. “Nauta will feel continued pressure to resolve the charges against him,” stated David Alan Sklansky, a professor at Stanford Law School. Sklansky further added that one charge accusing Nauta of lying to the FBI “puts him in significant legal jeopardy and he may decide that’s jeopardy that he wants to try to address.”
Nauta, who was born in Guam, has a 20-year naval service record, enlisting in 2001. He served on culinary teams across the US, from a strike fighter squadron in California to the USS Taylor destroyer and a submarine base in Georgia. He later joined the culinary staff at the White House in 2012. During Trump’s presidency, he worked as a White House valet.
Even after Trump’s loss in the 2020 presidential election and his subsequent move from the White House to his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, Nauta remained loyal, eventually becoming his executive assistant in August 2021. He reported directly to the former president, assuming the role of his personal assistant or “body man.”
The indictment portrays Nauta as a key figure in the transportation of classified material within Mar-a-Lago. He would bring boxes to Trump’s residence for review after the National Archives requested their return, a process that began in May 2021. When questioned by the FBI a year later about the whereabouts of these boxes, Nauta claimed not to know. Subsequently, at Trump’s request, Nauta allegedly moved approximately half of the boxes to a storage room, without informing the lawyer responsible for reviewing the material. As a result, many boxes remained unsearched and numerous documents were not found, according to court filings by the Department of Justice.
One of the most compelling images in the indictment was captured by Nauta, showing a tipped-over box with documents scattered on the floor, including one marked “SECRET” intended only for sharing with US allies. Nauta texted this image to an unnamed Trump employee, stating, “I opened the door and found this…”
The unsealed indictment lists 37 counts against Trump, and Nauta faces six criminal charges, including conspiracy to obstruct justice, concealing a document in a federal investigation, and making false statements. While each count carries the possibility of significant jail time, experts believe Nauta is unlikely to serve the maximum sentence if convicted.
Ryan Goodman, a professor at NYU School of Law, emphasized the weight of evidence against Nauta, including his text messages, stating that in an ordinary trial, one would expect someone in his situation to seek a plea deal. However, Nauta has thus far maintained solidarity with Trump. He accompanied the former president in his motorcade to the Miami courthouse and stood by his side during a visit to a well-known restaurant after the hearing.
Prior to the unsealing of the indictment, Trump praised Nauta as a “wonderful man” who has done a fantastic job on social media. Trump has a vested interest in keeping his loyal body man on his side. Jonathan Turley, a professor at George Washington University Law School, stated that if Nauta were to cooperate, it could be disastrous for the defense.
During the initial hearing, Nauta did not enter a plea since he had not secured local legal representation. He is expected to plead not guilty initially, but this may change as the case progresses. Prosecutors might exert more pressure by threatening him with additional charges. Nauta’s lawyer declined to comment on the charges and his appearance in court. Nauta is scheduled to return to court for arraignment on June 27.
Randy Zelin, an adjunct professor at Cornell Law School, noted that if Nauta had been cooperative from the beginning, he would not have been charged, which speaks to his allegiance to the former president. However, Zelin suggested that this loyalty may waver if Nauta contemplates the possibility of going to jail.
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