Special Counsel Jack Smith has strongly rebutted assertions by Trump codefendant Walt Nauta regarding selective and vindictive prosecution in the ongoing Mar-a-Lago classified documents case.
In a recent filing, Smith argued that Nauta’s claims lack substantial evidence to warrant the dismissal of charges, emphasizing the rigorous legal scrutiny surrounding the high-profile case.
Nauta, who previously pleaded not guilty, has sought the dismissal of the indictment or further discovery, alleging unequal treatment and vindictive motives in his prosecution. However, Judge Aileen Cannon has dismissed several of Nauta’s motions, leaving only two, including the selective and vindictive prosecution argument, unresolved.
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In their latest filing, prosecutors firmly opposed Nauta’s motion to dismiss the indictment on these grounds, arguing that his comparisons to other individuals employed by Trump do not support claims of selective prosecution. They emphasized the lack of evidence indicating that Nauta was singled out improperly among Trump’s employees.
The prosecution also dismissed Nauta’s argument of vindictive prosecution as an attempt to evade charges, highlighting that declining an invitation to appear before the grand jury does not absolve him of legal consequences.
Court documents outline Nauta’s involvement in the transportation of documents from the White House to storage at Mar-a-Lago, including instances where he reportedly moved boxes for President Trump’s review before turning them over to the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). The prosecution alleges unauthorized removal of boxes from storage after subpoenas were issued, raising concerns about evidence tampering.
The timeline leading to Nauta’s indictment includes an FBI raid, which uncovered additional classified documents beyond those initially identified. These developments, along with surveillance footage showing Nauta’s actions, have strengthened the prosecution’s case against him.
