Mar 11, 2024 - Politics & Policy

Ex-Mar-a-Lago employee: Trump classified docs case "is not a witch hunt"

Rebecca Falconer

A screenshot of Trump's former Mar-Lago valet Brian Butler during his interview on CNN. — A screenshot of Trump's former Mar-a-Lago valet Brian Butler during his interview on CNN/"The Source with Kaitlan Collins"

A former Mar-a-Lago employee told CNN Monday he had "no clue" that boxes he helped move at former President Trump's estate potentially contained classified documents.

Why it matters: Brian Butler, who said he worked for Trump for 20 years, is a key witness in the classified documents case and prosecutors refer to him in court documents as "employee 5," CNN notes.

The big picture: Trump faces 40 charges in the Florida case — one of four criminal indictments the likely Republican presidential nominee faces.

Longtime Trump aide Walt Nauta and Mar-a-Lago maintenance supervisor Carlos De Oliveira are also charged in special counsel Jack Smith's Florida case. All three have pleaded not guilty.

What they're saying: "I think the American people have the right to know the facts, that this is not a witch hunt," Butler said during the interview.

He told CNN's Kaitlan Collins that De Oliveira was his "best friend" and it "hurts" they no longer have contact due to the criminal investigation.
"I felt like it was a total no-win situation for me," said Butler, noting he was worried he might get De Oliveira into trouble.
For Trump "to get up there all the time and say the things he says about ... this being a witch hunt and everything ... he just can't take responsibility for anything," he added.
Representatives for Trump did not immediately respond to Axios' request for comment.

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Ex-Mar-a-Lago employee: Trump classified docs case "is not a witch hunt"

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