Insights from FBI Interview: Trump Associate's Description of Boxes at Mar-a-Lago

The FBI interview transcript released on Thursday shows how a former aide to Donald Trump described the sensitive documents that are key to the special counsel's investigation into mishandling classified information from the Trump White House.

In addition, the court documents shed light on how agents explained the seriousness of their investigation to Walt Nauta, who is now charged with obstruction-related offenses in the case.

During the May 2022 interview, Nauta talks about the layout of Mar-a-Lago and what he knew about where Trump's items from the White House were kept. He also shares his thoughts on the contents of the boxes, mentioning news clippings, hairspray, shampoo, picture frames, and other miscellaneous items.

Nauta is facing charges for allegedly conspiring to hide documents and lying to the FBI during the interview about the whereabouts of the boxes at Mar-a-Lago. He has entered a plea of not guilty.

US District Judge Aileen Cannon has allowed Nauta to submit a redacted version of the transcript before the hearing on Friday. Nauta will be presenting his argument to dismiss the charges brought by special counsel Jack Smith.

In the transcript, investigators questioned Nauta about whether he knew about Trump showing a document with classified markings to individuals on a plane. It is important to note that this specific event was not mentioned in the indictment against Trump.

Nauta told investigators that he was not aware of any incident and had never heard of it before. He mentioned that he usually sat at the back of the plane when flying with the former president.

CNN has contacted Trump's representatives for a comment.

In the beginning of the lengthy transcript, the FBI agents explained to Nauta, a former military member, why they were curious about any sensitive government documents. They emphasized that even small details could be useful in their investigation.

The agents also mentioned that they were trying to determine whether classified documents were stored in a secure environment or if there was a possibility they had been accessed by a foreign intelligence service.

The agents mentioned that if specific information might have been exposed, they would have to notify intelligence agencies. These agencies would then decide whether to halt certain operations.

One FBI agent expressed the importance of not taking any risks. They emphasized the need to shut down operations to protect people's lives and to prevent others from knowing about the capabilities of their ships.

The agent explained that it would be more convenient if they could provide clear information about what needs to be shut down and what doesn't, such as X, Y, and Z. This way, everyone would know exactly what to do.

Nauta denied informing Trump that he was going to sit for the interview. According to the transcript, Nauta actually told Trump that he was going for a run.

Read the full transcript below:

Editor's P/S:

The FBI transcript sheds light on the seriousness of the investigation into the mishandling of classified information from the Trump White House. Former aide Walt Nauta's description of the sensitive documents found at Mar-a-Lago and his alleged obstruction-related offenses raise concerns about the potential consequences of mishandling classified information. The FBI's emphasis on the importance of securing government documents and the potential risks of exposing them to foreign intelligence services highlights the gravity of the situation.

Nauta's denial of informing Trump about his FBI interview suggests a possible attempt to avoid scrutiny. The transcript also indicates that Trump may have been aware of the sensitive documents in his possession, raising questions about his responsibility and accountability in this matter. The ongoing investigation and legal proceedings will likely provide further insights into the extent of the mishandling of classified information and the potential implications for those involved.