Donald Trump co-defendant Walt Nauta's 'garbage argument' irks classified docs case prosecutor

MIAMI, FLORIDA: A federal prosecutor with special counsel Jack Smith's office turned frustrated over the "garbage arguments" presented by one of Donald Trump's co-defendants to dismiss the case against him in the classified document's case.

On Wednesday, May 22, prosecutor David Harbach angrily pushed back when former president's classified documents case co-defendant Walt Nauta alleged vindictive prosecution and prosecutorial misconduct against him, according to NBC News.

"That was difficult to sit through," Harbach said about Nauta's attorney Stanley Woodward's assertion to US District Judge Aileen Cannon. The defense lawyer contended that the indictment of Trump's personal valet was a retaliatory measure for refusing to cooperate with the government.

Prosecutor slams Walt Nauta's attorney's arguments

"It's a garbage argument, to begin with," Harbach said. He also dismissed Woodward's claims that in 2022, he was inappropriately pressured by someone from the special counsel Smith's office about his pending application for judicial appointment in Washington, DC.

The prosecutor argued that "Mr. Woodward's story about what happened" between Woodward and prosecutor Jay Bratt during their August 2020 meeting was a "fantasy." Harbach stated that had not happened, and even if it did, it could not be considered vindictive prosecution.

Responding to Cannon's question, the prosecutor, who was not at the meeting, said Woodward's alleged remarks were fragmentary" and "out of context."

However, Nauta's lawyer stood firm on his account of the meeting and stated the allegations had happened. "What I understood at the time was Mr. Nauta's refusal to cooperate could be used against him," he said.

The court then convened for another hearing in a separate motion by Nauta requesting to drop the charges against himself, Trump, and Carlos De Oliveira, a property manager at the Mar-a-Lago estate, citing procedural failures in the indictment. 

Cannon, a Trump appointee, postponed the trial, which was scheduled to start the trial on May 27, indefinitely.

Trump faces 40 counts for illegally retaining classified materials after leaving the White House in January 2021. FBI found the classified documents kept at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Palm Beach, Florida, during an authorized raid in August 2022.

Internet enraged over Donald Trump co-defendant's claims

Netizens voiced their anger in response to Nauta's argument to dismiss the charges in the indictment.

One user said, "They always play the victim."

"Everyone involved with these trials who are in Trumps orbit are doing nothing but throwing BS to the courts. Delay, delay, delay. It’s time to hold these traitors accountable," another remarked.

A user added, "What kind of upside down world are we living in when the US citizens will not be able to see the criminal case of Trump stealing US documents and clearly obstructing the governments investigation???!!"

One response read, "Gross example of having a joint defense strategy. T's domination of the defense just forced Nauta to take a ridiculous position just for political effect and to the detriment of Nauta's interest in presenting a dignified defense (or even a less dignified one of coercion)."

"Nauta's going for the 'I'm too stupid' defense," another person claimed.

Someone else said, "They just lie and lie and lie. Even in court. Disgusting." Meanwhile, another outraged user asked, "So now, if a criminal is associated with a political figure, it is always retailation? Even if the evidence is right before us!"

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