Washington, D.C. — The federal case involving two of former President Donald Trump’s co-defendants, Walt Nauta and Carlos de Oliveira, is likely to be dismissed following a formal request from the top federal prosecutor in South Florida. The request was made on Wednesday to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit and is expected to bring the controversial case to a close.
Why Was the Case Filed?
Nauta, a close aide to Trump, and de Oliveira, the former property manager at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort, were charged in 2023 alongside Trump. They were accused of helping obstruct the Justice Department’s investigation into Trump’s handling of classified government documents after leaving office in January 2021.
The case was initially brought by special counsel Jack Smith, who accused the former president of unlawfully keeping sensitive documents at Mar-a-Lago. Nauta and de Oliveira allegedly worked with Trump to hide key information from investigators.
Court Dismissal and Appeal Process
In July, U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon dismissed the charges, ruling that special counsel Jack Smith had been unlawfully appointed. The Justice Department appealed the dismissal to the 11th Circuit, but Acting U.S. Attorney Hayden O’Byrne’s new request to drop the case indicates the legal battle is nearing its end.
Nauta and de Oliveira’s lawyers have not opposed the dismissal, making it likely that the Atlanta-based court will grant the request soon.
What Will Happen Next?
If the case is dismissed, it could remove a key barrier to the public release of the second volume of Jack Smith’s investigative report. While the first volume, which focused on Trump’s efforts to challenge the 2020 election results, was released before his return to office, the second volume—related to classified documents—has remained sealed under former Attorney General Merrick Garland’s orders.
With the case on the verge of closure, questions remain about whether the second volume will be made public, especially with Trump now back in office.
Justice Department Leadership Changes
Since returning to office, Trump has pledged to end what he calls the “weaponization” of the Justice Department. As part of this effort, he has already dismissed several department employees who worked on Jack Smith’s investigations.
Nauta’s lawyer, Stanley Woodward, has now taken on a role as a White House lawyer. Meanwhile, de Oliveira’s lawyer, John Irving, is being considered for a top position within the Justice Department. Irving commented on the case, stating, “Carlos should never have been charged in the first place, and I have zero doubt that he would have been acquitted at trial.”
With the likely dismissal of the case against Nauta and de Oliveira, a significant chapter in the investigation into Trump’s handling of classified documents may be coming to an end. As the Justice Department undergoes major changes under Trump’s administration, the public’s access to the full investigative report remains uncertain.