Walt Nauta Challenges Selective Prosecution in Classified Documents Case Against DOJ

Walt Nauta, a co-defendant in former President Donald Trump’s case related to classified documents, is demanding his charges be dismissed due to alleged selective prosecution by the Department of Justice (DOJ), according to recently unsealed court filings. In February, Nauta submitted this request, which remained sealed until Friday evening. The Florida court docket indicates that Trump made a similar argument regarding dismissal on grounds of being “selective and vindictive”, but his filing remains concealed at present. Judge Aileen Cannon has indicated she will unseal three of Trump’s arguments by May 2, including this one related to selectivity in prosecution. The judge hasn’t yet decided whether Nauta or Trump’s charges should be dismissed based on these grounds. Both men have been charged with distinct offences; Trump for mishandling national defence information and both accused of obstructing a federal investigation. In his argument, Nauta claimed that he had cooperated extensively with investigators but was unfairly targeted by the DOJ after one casual meeting in May 2022 between David Raskin, who worked for special counsel Jack Smith, and Stanley Woodward – Nauta’s attorney at the time. At this informal gathering, Raskin demanded “full cooperation” from Nauta regarding Trump’s classified documents case. According to unsealed emails, during their discussion about one charge that could be brought against him, no further charges were mentioned until a target letter arrived later on. Defence attorneys argued in the filings that this change was evidence of DOJ “animus” as Nauta believed several people engaged in comparable acts with respect to Trump’s boxes during roughly the same timeframe and location but weren’t criminally investigated themselves for it. In a newly unsealed response, prosecutors countered by stating that Nauta’s claim of selective prosecution was based on comparisons between two individuals who worked under former President Donald J. Trump – both of whom had dissimilar conduct to his own in relation to the matter at hand.” Meanwhile, recent releases showed an active exchange during this case from 2021, wherein David Ferriero-who previously led NARA – wrote a draft letter seeking “assistance” regarding what he deemed as “suspected removal or destruction of Presidential records,” in September. Furthermore, Nara’s legal advisor met with White House chief Ron Klain and Biden counsel Dana Remus the same month to discuss this matter.” Trump has argued that both NARA and the Biden administration colluded unlawfully to charge him for political objectives, although his stance isn’t yet supported by evidence.