Overview
- The claims, reported by U.S. outlets including the New York Times and the Washington Post, seek compensation for the Russia‑related probes and the FBI’s 2022 search of Mar‑a‑Lago.
- Trump’s filings use an administrative process that can lead to settlements inside the Justice Department without a court case.
- Any large payout would require approval from Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, formerly Trump’s lead criminal defense lawyer, with Civil Division chief Stanley Woodward Jr. also in the chain.
- Ethics experts and Democratic critics call the arrangement a serious conflict, while the department says officials follow guidance from its ethics officers.
- No payment has been disclosed, settlements can be funded by taxpayers and kept confidential, and Trump says he would donate any money or use it for White House needs.