Donald Trump's co-defendant Walt Nauta hasn't entered plea in classified documents case yet. Here's why.
WASHINGTON − Former President Donald Trump's co-defendant in federal charges of mishandling classified documents has still not entered a plea after he was expected to appear in federal court on Tuesday, stoking speculation from observers about Walt Nauta's plans.
Walt Nauta's arraignment was delayed by transportation problems and the lack of a local lawyer, officials said, but some wondered whether he was still under pressure from prosecutors to testify against his boss.
Not so fast, some legal analysts said: Justice Department prosecutors have long tried to get Nauta to talk but have been unsuccessful, one of the reasons he was indicted in the first place.
"If Nauta comes to DOJ seeking a cooperation deal, prosecutors might consider it to simplify their case," said Barb McQuade, a former federal prosecutor and professor at the University of Michigan. "But they will be negotiating from a position of strength."
Trump and aides have repeatedly said he and Nauta are innocent and will be acquitted.
Here's what we know.
Still no plea from top Trump aide
Nauta was scheduled to plead not guilty in a Miami court Tuesday, but his attorney, Stanley Woodward, told a judge his client has not yet hired a local lawyer.
He also said bad weather prevented Nauta from traveling to Miami from New Jersey, where he works for Trump at the former president's summer residence at his Bedminster golf club in New Jersey.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Edwin G. Torres postponed Nauta's arraignment until July 6.
The change comes two weeks after Nauta was at Trump's side when he pleaded not guilty to charges of obstruction of justice.
No sign of a split
There is no indication of a split between Trump and Nauta.
Nauta still works for Trump as his personal aide − his "body man" − and the former president praises him and condemns the charges against him.
Among the allegations is that Nauta moved boxes stuffed with classified documents around Trump's Mar-a-Lago home in Palm Beach, Florida, even though that material had been been subpoenaed by a grand jury.
Nauta under pressure
Some legal analysts are arguing Nauta has apparently refused to testify against Trump, a factor in his indictment by the Justice Department and special counsel Jack Smith.
"I think the train has left the station on cooperation for Nauta," McQuade said. "I’m sure DOJ approached Nauta before he was charged, and his charges reveal that he declined."
Bradley P. Moss, an attorney who specializes in national security issues, said he doubts prosecutors will "waste any more time trying to flip Nauta at this stage absent outreach from Nauta’s lawyer."
He added that the Justice Department "no doubt expects Nauta is waiting to see how the pretrial motions play out" from federal prosecutors as well as Trump's attorneys.