President Donald Trump is seeking a staggering $230 million from the U.S. Department of Justice, asserting that he deserves compensation for alleged political harassment stemming from investigations into his conduct during and after his presidency.
He claims these federal probes, which include inquiries into the 2016 Russian election interference and the mishandling of classified documents, were unjust and damaging to his reputation and finances.
Trump's legal team has submitted administrative claims to the DOJ, demanding the payout, while he boldly contends that the government owes him for the “malicious prosecution” he faced.
The request has ignited fierce backlash from Democrats, who are terming it a blatant “shakedown” and have launched a probe into the matter, raising concerns over potential conflicts of interest within the DOJ.
Public and media sentiment is largely negative, with many viewing Trump's demand as a corrupt exploitation of taxpayer dollars that defies presidential norms and accountability.
As the political ramifications unfold, even some Republicans express unease about Trump's strategy, fearing it could create divisions within the party and impact future elections.