Trump says Justice Department may owe him ‘a lot of money’ for past investigations into him

President Donald Trump suggested Tuesday that the Department of Justice (DOJ) owes him money for the lawsuits filed against him.

In the Oval Office, a reporter asked Trump whether he was seeking compensation from the Justice Department for past federal investigations into him and, if so, how much he was seeking.

“Well, I guess they probably owe me a lot of money for that,” Trump responded. “No, I don’t get a salary. I gave up my salary. It’s a good salary. Not as much as these guys, but it doesn’t matter. It’s a lot of money, and I don’t have it, as you know, I didn’t take it in the first four years. I didn’t take it in those four years either.”

“But as far as all the litigation, everything that was involved, yes, they probably owe me a lot of money,” the president added. “But if I get money from our country, I’ll do something nice with that money. Like give it to charity or give it to the White House while we restore the White House, and we’re doing a great job with the White House, as you know, the ballroom is under construction.”

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President Donald Trump gestures as he hosts a Rose Garden Club luncheon at the White House in Washington, DC, October 21, 2025. (Kevin Lamarque/Reuters)

The New York Times sources report that Trump is seeking approximately $230 million in compensation from the Justice Department for investigations into him.

Trump told reporters Tuesday that he was “not looking for money” but that they “should ask the lawyers about this.”

“We’ll see what happens,” Trump said. “We have a lot of cases related to voter fraud, the 2020 election, and because of everything we’ve uncovered, I’m guessing they owe me a lot of money. arrive.”

He was later asked again what the exact amount of the demand was and he said: “I don’t know what the amount is. I don’t even talk to them about it. »

Trump then noted that the decision would have to come from his office, saying it would be “terribly strange to make a decision where I’m paying myself.”

“In other words, have you ever had one of those cases where you have to decide how much to pay yourself in damages?” » Trump said. “But I was damaged very badly. And all the money I got, I gave to charity.”

Attorney General Pam Bondi speaks as President Donald Trump looks on during a press conference in the Oval Office of the White House, October 15, 2025. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

The Times noted that the DOJ rules state that settlement demands against the department that exceed $4 million “must be approved by the Assistant Attorney General or Associate Attorney General, as appropriate.”

It is unclear where the claims or negotiations with the DOJ stand. However, the Associated Press noted that ties between Trump and those authorized to make a decision on the settlement could pose problems.

Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche was one of Trump’s lawyers in the Mar-a-Lago case. Additionally, Associate Attorney General Stanley Woodward represented Trump’s co-defendant, Walt Nauta, in the Mar-a-Lago case.

“In all circumstances, all Department of Justice officials follow the advice of career ethics officers,” Justice Department spokesperson Chad Gilmartin said in a statement to Fox News Digital.

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The investigations include the 2022 FBI raid at Mar-a-Lago as part of the classified documents affair and another investigation into possible ties between Russia and the Trump presidential campaign in 2016. According to the Times, the first complaint was filed in late 2023 and concerned the Russia investigation, while the second — which focused on the Mar-a-Lago raid — was filed in summer 2024.

The Times reported Tuesday that Trump filed complaints through an administrative grievance procedure, noting that it’s something that often precedes legal action.

President Donald Trump during a bilateral meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the Oval Office of the White House, Monday, April 7, 2025. (Yuri Gripas/Abaca/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Although the president said he would donate the funds, some Democrats presented the report as an example of Trump trying to enrich himself.

Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., said Wednesday morning that the president was looking “to line his own pockets, or he’s now saying give to a charity of his choice.” The senator added to the accusation, saying Trump was “focused on putting $230 million back in his pocket that he doesn’t deserve instead of helping the American people get health care.”

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Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., who was in the middle of an hour-long speech, criticized Trump for “sueing the government, then directing his Justice Department to settle the lawsuit, thereby moving the money into the president’s pocket out of the government.”

Merkley then remarked that “there is no limit to selfishness” and called on his colleagues, particularly Republicans, to speak out against the president.

Fox News Digital has reached out to the White House for comment.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.