Internet slams Trump after Jack Smith reveals latest photo evidence in ex-POTUS’ classified docs case
FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA: Special counsel Jack Smith's federal team claimed the discovery of two images of classified documents on the phone belonging to former president Donald Trump's valet in their recent court filing, reported Newsweek.
In order to prove Trump's personal aide and valet Walt Nauta allegedly forwarded one of the images via text message, prosecutors will seek the assistance of a phone expert. If proven true, this could benefit persuade a future jury that the classified materials retained by the ex-president at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, were not secured and accessible to staff members.
Nauta, who continues to work as Trump's valet, is accused of assisting the White House hopeful in storing the classified materials at his boss's luxury residence.
The GOP presumptive nominee faces 40 felony counts for illegally possessing classified documents at his private residence after leaving the White House in 2021. He has pleaded not guilty to the criminal charges.
Prosecution's court filing accuses Walt Nauta
The prosecution's latest court filing said they notified Nauta's attorneys about the two images of classified documents found on his phone two months ago.
"Since one of the phones contained two unique images with classification markings, the Government provided those images separately to defense counsel via classified discovery in October 2023, along with the related forensic report containing metadata relating to those two images," the filing read.
"Nauta has everything he needs to identify an expert, and has had it for several months," it stated.
With the latest evidence, the prosecution is attempting to convince Judge Aileen Cannon, a Trump appointee, that the valet had enough time to find an expert witness to challenge the government's argument about the images on his phone.
In his previous court filing, Nauta refused to disclose experts because "the Special Counsel's Office has yet to provide forensic images of the devices for which it has proffered expert testimony." However, the prosecution disputed this claim, deeming it "inaccurate and misleading".
"In August 2023, the Government provided Nauta with the unfiltered and unscoped forensic extractions of his two phones, complete with Cellebrite reports," the filing stated.
Cellebrite is an Investigative DI Platform that lawfully and ethically extracts data from computers and mobile phones.
Nauta and a Mar-a-Lago maintenance worker, Carlos De Oliveira, allegedly moved boxes containing sensitive documents around the luxury residence to hide them from federal agents. In addition, they are accused of plotting to delete security footage that was requested via a subpoena.
The classified document trial is expected to start on May 20. Trump is already under a criminal trial in New York in the hush money payment case.
Internet reacts to images on Nauta's phone
Weighing in on the discovery of new images of classified documents on Trump's valet's phone, social media users predicted more trouble for the ex-president.
One user wrote, "Trump needs to be tackled!"
Another demanded, "Lock him already."
A third user added, "If we can't have a trial before the election, Jack Smith should release the evidence and let the chips fall where they may. Americans deserve to know the whole truth before they vote."
"Oops looks oks like someone is in trouble," a fourth response read.
Meanwhile, another said, "Prove it before the election please!"
If we can't have a trial before the election, Jack Smith should release the evidence and let the chips fall where they may. Americans deserve to know the whole truth before they vote.
— Karen (@KarenKaufman2) May 7, 2024
An individual wrote, "Trump will be cooked soon!"
"If I took a photo of a classified document and texted it, I’d be in jail by the end of the day. DJT and Walt have compromised the U.S. national security. They are being treated different than others. Teixeira was arrested, jailed and convicted in less than 12 months. Garbage," said one outraged user.
If I took a photo of a classified document and texted it, I’d be in jail by the end of the day. DJT and Walt have compromised the U.S. national security. They are being treated different than others. Teixeira was arrested, jailed and convicted in less than 12 months. Garbage. pic.twitter.com/Cggwm6QibW
— Mike Collins 🇨🇦🇺🇦 (@MFWCollins) May 6, 2024
This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.