President Trump is seeking nearly $230 million in compensation from the Justice Department over past federal investigations. This unprecedented request poses significant ethical conflicts as senior department officials who once defended him now have a role in deciding whether to approve the settlement.
Trump submitted complaints through an administrative claim process, which is often precursor to lawsuits. The first complaint seeks damages for alleged violations of his rights, including the investigation into Russian election tampering and possible connections to the 2016 Trump campaign.
The second complaint accuses the FBI of violating Trump’s privacy by searching his Mar-a-Lago residence in 2022 for classified documents. It also alleges malicious prosecution against him after he left office.
Lawyers say the nature of the claims poses undeniable ethics challenges, as those who defend him now have a role in deciding whether to approve the settlement. The situation has no parallel in American history and highlights potential conflicts created by installing Trump’s former lawyers atop the Justice Department.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/21/us/politics/trump-justice-department-compensation.html