Former President Donald Trump’s personal aide, Walt Nauta, pleaded not guilty on Thursday in Florida on charges over his handling of classified documents.
The Story: Nauta, a co-defendant in the case with Trump, has been charged with conspiracy to obstruct justice and making false statements.
- Nauta has been accused of hiding top-secret national security files from investigators after Trump left the White House.
Deeper dive: Both Trump and Nauta have pleaded not guilty to the charges against them with neither being held on bail following their hearing.
Why it matters: Trump’s not guilty plea means he will be able to still go out on the campaign trail despite his legal troubles.
- Trump has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, saying he will not exit the race for the GOP nomination even if he is convicted.
- Nauta faces the possibility of 20 years in prison if he is convicted of the most serious charge against him, the Washington Post reported.
- Last month, a federal judge in Florida overseeing the case set a tentative start date of Aug. 14 for Trump’s criminal trial while the Justice Department has asked for a December start date.
