According to court documents, Walt Nauta, Trump’s valet and co-defendant in the federal classified documents case, was reportedly promised a pardon if Trump wins a second term. The alleged promise came to light through a cooperating witness, ‘Person 16,’ who spoke to the FBI in November 2022.
Person 16 claimed that Nauta was reassured that the investigation was politically motivated and would not result in charges. They also stated that if Nauta faced charges for lying to the FBI, Trump would pardon him in 2024. Despite the FBI’s offer to record the interview, Person 16 declined, citing concerns about retaliation.
A month before Person 16’s interview, Nauta had lied to the FBI about the whereabouts of classified documents at Mar-a-Lago. His interview transcript indicates that he misled Trump about his location during the FBI investigation.
Both Nauta and Trump have entered not guilty pleas in the case.
