In a surprising turn of events, a former long-term employee of Mar-a-Lago has decided to speak out as a central witness in the investigation into former President Donald Trump's handling of classified documents. Brian Butler, referred to as "Trump Employee 5" in the indictment brought by special counsel Jack Smith, sat down for an exclusive interview with CNN, sharing his experiences and shedding light on the case.

Butler, who worked at Mar-a-Lago for two decades, believed that it was crucial for voters to hear the truth about his former boss and the ongoing investigation before the November election. Dismissing Trump's claims of a "witch hunt," Butler shared that he played a significant role in providing testimony to federal investigators, which formed crucial portions of the obstruction charges against Trump and his co-defendants, Walt Nauta and Carlos De Oliveira.

Describing a particular incident in June 2022, Butler revealed that he unknowingly assisted Nauta in delivering boxes of classified information from Mar-a-Lago to Trump's plane on the same day that the former president and his attorney were meeting with the Justice Department. Butler recalled Nauta's unusual request to borrow an Escalade from the car service he ran for Mar-a-Lago, as Nauta typically did not handle moving luggage. Little did Butler know that the boxes loaded into the vehicle contained the documents mentioned in the indictment.

Months later, in August 2022, the FBI removed hundreds of government records from Mar-a-Lago. Feeling restless and eager for a fresh start, Butler decided to leave his job as a club valet and manager. Proclaiming his intentions to go public about his involvement in the obstruction case against Trump, Butler sat down exclusively with CNN to share his side of the story, aiming to provide clarity and facts to those who may doubt the authenticity of the case.

Butler's testimony as "Trump Employee 5" in the Justice Department's indictment offers a glimpse into the wealth of knowledge he possesses regarding the conduct of Trump, Nauta, and others. He was present for conversations that allegedly captured how Trump and his closest aides attempted to hinder federal authorities. Butler divulged that De Oliveira informed him about Nauta's visit to Palm Beach, during which they planned to delete surveillance tapes related to the storage room where the boxes were stored.

The forthcoming courtroom proceedings will undoubtedly shed more light on Butler's version of events, as well as the actions and intentions of the accused. While lawyers for Trump and Nauta declined to comment, a statement from De Oliveira's attorney, John Irving, expressed anticipation for Butler's testimony under oath and refrained from trying the case in the media.

As a former employee deeply intertwined with Trump's sphere of influence in South Florida, Butler's personal experiences and connections could prove invaluable in unraveling the truth behind the investigation. Having known Trump since 2002, Butler witnessed and engaged in detailed conversations with the former president, his family, and guests at Mar-a-Lago. His close-knit friendships with colleagues like De Oliveira, with whom he enjoyed off-property celebrations, have contributed to years' worth of text messages and photos on his cell phone.

Although Butler's journey began as a seasonal valet at Mar-a-Lago over two decades ago, his entrepreneurial spirit led him to establish a successful car service for Trump's properties in South Florida. However, disillusioned by the growing FBI investigation and Trump's perceived disregard for national security, Butler decided to part ways with his Mar-a-Lago job in November 2022. Watching his friends and former colleagues' lives disrupted by the criminal case, Butler recognized the divisive impact Trump's presidency had on communities, including his own friendship with De Oliveira.

In the upcoming trial, Butler's testimony will likely provide a crucial perspective on the events surrounding the handling of classified documents at Mar-a-Lago. With both Trump's reputation and the truth at stake, all eyes will be on the courtroom as these allegations are thoroughly examined.