President Donald Trump has filed claims seeking up to $230 million from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), accusing the agency of political retaliation in two of the most high-profile federal actions ever taken against him.
According to reports first confirmed Tuesday, the filings — administrative claims known as Form 95s — seek compensation for alleged violations of Trump’s rights during the 2016 Russia investigation and the 2022 FBI search of Mar-a-Lago. Both actions, his lawyers argue, caused “immeasurable reputational and financial harm.”
The claims, submitted in 2023 and 2024, precede any formal lawsuit but are required under the Federal Tort Claims Act before suing the government. They accuse the DOJ and FBI of “malicious prosecution” and “abuse of process,” echoing Trump’s long-standing claim that the justice system has been “weaponized” against him.
A DOJ spokesperson declined to discuss specifics but said all department officials “follow the guidance of career ethics professionals.” If the claims are approved, any settlement above $4 million would require sign-off by the Deputy Attorney General — a role now held by Todd Blanche, a former Trump defense attorney, raising potential conflict-of-interest questions.
Legal experts note that while administrative claims are routine in federal litigation, one of this magnitude is unprecedented for a president. The filings underscore Trump’s effort to recast years of investigation as an injury rather than a liability — and to turn his defense into a financial counteroffensive against the federal government itself.
Between the Lines
If the DOJ entertains the claim, even briefly, it could open a new political front: one where former presidents pursue damages from their own government. But if it’s dismissed outright, Trump could still transform the rejection into campaign fuel — proof, he’d argue, that the system remains rigged against him. Either outcome keeps the spotlight exactly where he wants it: on Trump versus Washington.
