Trump Seeks $230M From DOJ, Filings Span 2023–24

President Donald Trump has submitted two administrative claims seeking roughly $230 million from the Department of Justice for alleged misconduct during past probes, including the Russia/2016 investigation and the FBI’s August 2022 Mar‑a‑Lago search. The filings were made in late 2023 and in summer 2024 and are described by multiple outlets as a precursor to lawsuits; they allege privacy intrusions, malicious prosecution and other violations. Any settlement or payout would require sign‑off by senior DOJ officials — including Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche and Civil Division head Stanley Woodward Jr. — raising ethics and conflict‑of‑interest concerns; DOJ says career ethics officials would guide any review. Trump has said any money would be donated and noted the unusual optics of a payout that “would have to go across my desk,” while House Democrats have opened a probe and critics have called the move potential self‑dealing. The status of negotiations or any decision remains unclear, and the claims could prompt legal challenges and significant political fallout if advanced.