Trump Seeks $230M From Own DOJ Over Past Investigations/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Donald Trump stated he may seek $230 million in damages from the Department of Justice due to past investigations. He claimed he would donate any settlement to charity or use it for public purposes. The DOJ’s internal ethics and leadership ties raise questions about impartiality in any payout decision.
DOJ Settlement Claim + Quick Looks
- Trump stated he “could be” pursuing $230 million from DOJ.
- The claim relates to past investigations, including the Russia probe.
- Trump says any payout would go to charity or renovation projects.
- Complaints were filed before his 2024 reelection.
- DOJ officials who worked for Trump could handle payout deliberations.
- Critics raise concerns about ethical conflicts and transparency.
- DOJ fired its ethics chief amid broader internal reshuffling.
Deep Look: Trump Eyes DOJ Payout Over Investigations
President Donald Trump revealed on Tuesday that he might pursue a $230 million payout from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), citing damages from past federal investigations into his activities. The potential payout, if pursued and awarded, would be funded by American taxpayers — and managed by the very department he now controls as president following his 2024 reelection.
In a conversation with CNN’s Kaitlan Collins, Trump commented on a recent New York Times report that disclosed the figure. “It could be,” Trump responded when asked if he was actively seeking the amount. He added that he had limited direct involvement with the claims process. “I don’t know about the numbers. I don’t even talk to them about it. All I know is that they would owe me a lot of money. But I’m not looking for money. I’d give it to charity or something.”
The president acknowledged the unusual nature of the scenario — essentially deciding whether or not to pay himself. “It’s awfully strange to make a decision where I’m paying myself,” Trump said. “In other words, did you ever have one of those cases where you have to decide how much you’re paying yourself in damages?”
Despite his claims of disinterest in personal gain, Trump reiterated that he felt wronged by the federal probes into his conduct during and after his first term. He argued the DOJ under President Joe Biden — whom he referred to as “Crooked Joe” — had weaponized its power against him. The two major federal cases that arose from these investigations were later dismissed after Trump returned to office.
“If I get money from our country, I’ll do something nice with it,” Trump said, suggesting he would use any awarded funds for charitable causes or even improvements to the White House.
Background on the Complaints
According to The New York Times, the complaints were filed in 2023 and 2024 — prior to Trump’s reelection. One of the filings targets the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election, alleging violations of Trump’s constitutional rights. Another complaint pertains to the classified documents investigation, which included the FBI’s 2022 search of Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate. CNN previously reported that Trump had sought $100 million for that claim alone.
Both complaints were submitted through an administrative process that allows individuals to request compensation from federal agencies without pursuing a formal lawsuit. This process typically bypasses judicial review, leaving decisions to agency leadership.
Potential Ethical Conflicts in DOJ
The integrity of any settlement negotiations has been questioned due to overlapping relationships between current DOJ officials and Trump’s legal defense team. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, who currently serves as the department’s second-highest official, was Trump’s lead criminal defense attorney. In addition, Stanley Woodward, who heads the DOJ’s Civil Division, previously represented a co-defendant in Trump’s classified documents case.
Both individuals could, in theory, participate in decisions regarding a settlement payout — potentially creating a significant ethical dilemma. When asked if such conflicts were being addressed, DOJ spokesperson Chad Gilmartin stated: “In any circumstance, all officials at the Department of Justice follow the guidance of career ethics officials.”
However, scrutiny over the DOJ’s internal ethics protocols intensified following the recent dismissal of the department’s ethics chief. That firing was part of a broader reshuffling that included at least a dozen other employees who were connected to Special Counsel Jack Smith, the prosecutor behind Trump’s former indictments.
Political Repercussions and Ongoing Legal Strategy
A spokesperson from Trump’s legal team did not directly confirm the $230 million figure but maintained Trump’s position.
“President Trump continues to fight back against all Democrat-led Witch Hunts, including the ‘Russia, Russia, Russia’ hoax and the un-Constitutional and un-American weaponization of our justice system by Crooked Joe Biden and his handlers.”
While the outcome of these administrative complaints remains unclear, the situation adds another layer of controversy to Trump’s ongoing legal and political saga. His claim, if approved, could spark significant backlash due to the apparent self-benefit and questions of impartiality — especially as public funds would foot the bill.
With Trump now occupying the highest office again, any payout from the DOJ will be closely scrutinized for both ethical integrity and political implications.
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