Trump Claimsโข He Would Decide How toโ Useโ Funds From โคpotential Federal Settlements
WASHINGTON – Former Presidentโ Donald โคTrump indicated heโฃ would have ultimateโข control over any funds he receives through โคclaims filedโค with the โขJustice Departmentโข seeking damages related to investigationsโ he deems politically motivated. Trump revealed his interest in “compensation” during โฃa recent White House appearance with attorney Toddโ Blanche, former FBI Directorโ Kash Patel, and Attorney General Pam โขBondi.
The claims, filedโ as part of a process to resolve federal complaints โwithout litigation, include one seeking damages over the search โof his Mar-a-Lago estate and the subsequent case alleging mishandling of classified documents. The other relates to the long-concluded Trump-Russia investigation.Trump described a โฃhypothetical scenario โwhere he would negotiate โaโข settlement amount while facing โขa lawsuit as president, stating, “I’ll say, ‘Give me Xโ dollars,’ and I don’t know what to do with the lawsuit.”
One administrative claim, filedโ in August 2024, alleges a “malicious prosecution” by the Biden administration, claiming Trump spent “tens of millions of dollars” defending himself. This claim stems โfrom theโ investigation led by Specialโ Counsel Jack Smith, which was โpaused in November due to Department of Justice policy โagainst indicting a sitting president.
The Justice Department stated thatโ all officials adhereโ to guidance from career ethics โofficials. Aโ White โHouse spokesperson deferred comment to the Justice Department. Notably, Todd Blanche has been appointed as the deputy attorney general at the Justice department, and Stanley Woodward, โขthe current associate attorney โgeneral, previously โฃrepresented Trump’s co-defendant in the classified documents case, Walt Nauta.