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Brian Butler, a key witness in the investigation into ex-President Donald Trump’s alleged handling of classified documents, made a shocking revelation when he gave his side of the story in an interview with CNN, in which he claims to have worked at Mar-a-Lago for 20 years and to be Trump’s employee, according to the indictment, and above all to have helped, despite himself, to transport from a plane the crates of classified documents sought by the FBI.
Exclusive: A former Mar-a-Lago employee describes how he unknowingly helped move classified documents onto former President Donald Trump’s plane in 2022 https://t.co/PRhJThIfIt
— CNN (@CNN) March 11, 2024
During the interview, Butler told CNN’s Kaitlan Collins that he had unwittingly assisted Donald Trump’s aide and co-defendant, Walt Nauta, in the transfer of crates of classified documents from Mar-a-Lago to the presidential plane. Notably, this action would have taken place on the same day that the Justice Department was planning to meet with Trump’s lawyers and the Trump family at Mar-a-Lago regarding classified documents that had not been returned.
Driven by his desire for transparency ahead of the November elections and the judge’s expressed desire to uncover the names of key witnesses, Butler relates that he found it strange when Carlos De Oliveira, the Mar-a-Lago property manager and his good friend, asked to borrow his minivan. He mentions that he later found himself near Trump’s plane, the same minivan loaded with luggage and white banker-type boxes. These boxes, Butler later identified as those containing classified documents sought in the federal investigation.
Butler insists he was unaware of the contents of the boxes, but his crucial testimony to investigators contributed to the indictment of Trump and two of his associates for criminal obstruction. Stressing the seriousness of his role, Butler expressed discomfort with his unwitting involvement in De Oliveira’s legal troubles and disappointment with the culture of the Trump operation.
After months of reflection, the former Mar-a-Lago employee chose to share his story, distinguishing himself from other staff members. He says he’s willing to testify under oath, which could strengthen the growing evidence against the former president.
When asked by Caitlan Collins if he thinks Trump poses a risk to national security, Brian Butler says he doesn’t think Trump should be a candidate at this point, and he feels it’s time to move on. He asserts that Americans have a right to know the facts, and that Trump is not a victim of a witch hunt.
