Trump co-defendant in classified documents case was told he'd be pardoned in a second term, notes in FBI interview say

[mahatmakanejeeves]

Source: CNN

Trump co-defendant in classified documents case was told he’d be pardoned in a second term, notes in FBI interview say

By Tierney Sneed and Holmes Lybrand, CNN
Published 6:17 PM EDT, Mon April 22, 2024

(CNN) — Donald Trump’s valet Walt Nauta was told that if he was charged with lying to the FBI, the former president would pardon him when he won a second term in 2024, according to notes from an interview with a witness in the federal classified documents investigation. … A redacted summary of the November 2022 interview given to the FBI by the witness – who is identified as “Person 16” and described as someone who worked in Trump’s White House – was made public in newly unsealed court filings in the criminal case on Monday.

Nauta was charged in June of last year with lying to the FBI and obstructing the investigation by special counsel Jack Smith, along with Trump who was charged with obstruction and mishandling of classified and national defense information. Both men have pleaded not guilty. … Nauta’s attorney declined to comment to CNN. Trump’s attorneys have not responded to CNN’s inquiry.

It’s not clear how the witness came to know of the alleged offer of a pardon. The FBI’s interview summary said Person 16 had not spoken to Nauta since Trump was in the White House.

“NAUTA was told by FPOTUS’ people that his investigation was not going anywhere, that it was politically motivated and ‘much ado about nothing,’” the interview summary says, referring to the abbreviation for Former President of the United States. “NAUTA was also told that even if he gets charged with lying to the FBI, FPOTUS will pardon him in 2024.”

{snip}

Read more: https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/2024/04/22/politics/nauta-classified-documents-trump-pardon-second-term

[ZonkerHarris]

1. and accepting a pardon means you admit your guilt too.

[thesquanderer]

4. That's not actually as clear cut as it has sometimes been reported. (n/t)

[Hassin Bin Sober]

9. No, it doesn't.

[LiberalFighter]

2. Will pardon him in 2024???

If TSF does win he can't pardon until 2025.

If he is convicted that means TSF is also convicted.

If TSF does win why bother giving him a pardon?

[Maeve]

3. Promising a pardon for a crime smells like bribery

Or encouraging perjury....don't know the proper legal terms, but I'd be surprised if it's legal.

[70sEraVet]

8. Obstruction of Justice, for sure. Witness tampering....

Where's all our DU legal experts?

[rubbersole]

5. Hey, Walt...

...good luck. Bro.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

6. Nauta's a sucker. . . . nt

[Evolve Dammit]

7. All Cult 45 are suckers

[orangecrush]

10. Promises, promises

[AnrothElf]

11. So far Loose Cannon's decision to make these docs public against Smith's wishes...

Is kinda damning for Trump. If she's trying to help him, I'm not sure this does it.

Then again, I haven't combed over the docs and tried to identify the witnesses so I could intimidate them before my trial, either.

[Diraven]

12. Is promising someone a pardon if they'll lie

A crime? Seems like obstruction or witness tampering at least.

[Zambero]

16. It's all part of being the " Law and Order" candidate

1. By selective decree, equal justice under the law does not apply.
2. Witnesses to crimes will be ordered to "play ball" or face the consequences.

[wolfie001]

13. His cult considers this another feather in his cap

Never ends with this bloated, aging, smelly criminal.

[oasis]

14. "You can take that to the bank"

[Zambero]

15. Just another one of those "no collusion" things