Donald Trump’s valet, Walt Nauta, was informed that he would be pardoned by the former president if charged with lying to the FBI when Trump won a second term in 2024. This information was revealed in notes from an interview with a witness in the federal classified documents investigation, known as “Person 16.” Nauta, along with Trump, had been charged with obstruction and mishandling of classified and national defense information. Both men have pleaded not guilty to these charges.
The redacted summary of the November 2022 interview given to the FBI by Person 16, who worked in Trump’s White House, was made public in newly unsealed court filings in the criminal case. Nauta’s attorney declined to comment on the situation, and Trump’s attorneys have not responded to inquiries from CNN. It remains unclear how Person 16 knew of the alleged pardon offer made to Nauta.
According to the interview summary, Nauta was assured by “FPOTUS’ people” that his investigation was politically motivated and that even if he was charged with lying to the FBI, Trump would pardon him in 2024. The witness refused for the interview to be recorded, indicating that it would be a significant risk in the Trump world. The witness had visited Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida multiple times after the end of his presidency.
During a November 2021 visit to Mar-a-Lago, the witness advised Trump to return any material he had to the National Archives to avoid giving prosecutors a reason to indict him. The FBI executed a search warrant at Mar-a-Lago in August 2022 to recover any classified material that may have been improperly handled. The investigation into alleged obstruction and mishandling of classified information by Trump and Nauta continues.
Overall, the newly unsealed court filings shed light on the offer of a potential pardon to Nauta by Trump in the event of being charged with lying to the FBI. This revelation raises questions about the handling of classified information and the potential abuse of presidential pardon powers. The investigation into these matters remains ongoing as more details come to light through interviews and search warrants executed at Mar-a-Lago. It remains to be seen how this information will impact the legal case against Trump and Nauta.
