The search of Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate could have consequences for the US Department of Justice. If Trump’s lawyers have their way, compensation is due.
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump is demanding high compensation from the US Department of Justice because of the FBI’s search of his Mar-a-Lago estate around two years ago. According to information from the German Press Agency, his lawyers have submitted a corresponding claim to the authority. According to consistent US media reports, the sum at issue is 100 million US dollars (around 91 million euros). The Department of Justice now has six months to respond to the claim.
The former president was charged at the federal level last year in the scandal surrounding the taking of secret government documents – but the judge in charge dropped the criminal proceedings in mid-July on the grounds that there were doubts about the legality of the appointment of the special investigator in the case. He has already appealed the decision.
Trump is accused of illegally storing highly sensitive information from his time as president (2017 to 2021). As part of the investigation, the FBI searched his Florida villa in August 2022 and confiscated several sets of documents classified as top secret.
Donald Trump’s lawyers see reputation damaged
In their claim for damages, Trump’s lawyers are citing a law that protects private individuals from harm by government employees. They argue that the search was politically motivated and illegal. The proceedings not only caused Trump considerable legal costs, but also damaged his reputation.
Demands of this kind are generally considered to have little chance of success. This assessment also applies to Trump’s case. The search of Mar-a-Lago appears to be on solid legal ground: a federal judge approved it after months of investigations and negotiations with Trump’s lawyers.
