Trump Seeks $230M From DOJ; Acknowledges Bid

President Trump has submitted two administrative claims seeking about $230 million from the Justice Department as compensation related to the 2016 Russia probe and the FBI’s Mar‑a‑Lago search over classified documents. The demands — first reported by The New York Times and filed before he returned to the White House — would be processed through the DOJ’s administrative-claim/settlement system. They could be approved by senior DOJ officials, including Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche and Civil Division chief Stanley Woodward Jr., prompting concerns about unprecedented conflicts of interest given their ties to Trump. Trump has publicly acknowledged the effort, at times downplayed it, and said he might donate any payout to charity or the White House, joking it would be "awfully strange" to "pay myself." Critics call the bid corrupt and ethically indefensible while supporters say it seeks redress for alleged rights violations and damages. It remains uncertain whether DOJ will approve a settlement; administrative claims can result in payouts or, if unresolved, lead to federal lawsuits.