President Trump accepts Justice Department’s request for compensation over first-term investigation
President Donald Trump has responded to reports that he is seeking compensation from the Justice Department. He said he would donate any damages awarded.
President Donald Trump is asking the U.S. Department of Justice to pay him $230 million in compensation for investigations during his first term and lawsuits filed after he left office, according to the New York Times.
Trump filed two complaints through the administrative claims process, the newspaper reported, citing people familiar with the matter.
At an Oct. 21 Oval Office event, the president was asked about the reparations effort and appeared to acknowledge it, citing the unusual nature of potentially overseeing huge payouts from the government he runs.
“You know that decision has to be made on my desk,” Trump said. “And it’s very strange to make the decision to pay for it yourself.”
“But I have suffered tremendous damage,” Trump added. “And all the money we make goes to charity.”
Asked afterwards how much money he was seeking, Trump said: “I don’t know what that number is. I’ve never talked to them about it.”
The New York Times reported that Trump’s initial claims were that his rights were violated, including during the investigation into whether his 2016 presidential campaign had ties to Russia. The second allegation revolves around an investigation into whether Trump mishandled classified documents, including an FBI investigation at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago property in Palm Beach, Florida, according to the Times.
Trump is seeking $115 million in his second request, alleging “invasion of sequestration, malicious prosecution, and abuse of process,” the Times reported.
According to the report, the Justice Department requires the approval of the deputy attorney general or deputy attorney general for settlements of claims exceeding $4 million. Deputy Attorney General Todd Branch was President Trump’s personal attorney.
Asked about potential conflicts of interest, Justice Department spokesman Chad Gilmartin said, “Under no circumstances will all Justice Department employees follow the guidance of their career ethics officers.”
Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee announced on social media that Rep. Jamie Raskin, the committee’s ranking Democrat, is opening a so-called investigation into “this $230 million taxpayer cut by President Trump.”
The newspaper said both complaints were filed before Trump won the 2024 election.
Contributor: Aisha Bagki
