Washington, D.C. – Leading pro-democracy legal organization Democracy Forward has requested access to public records regarding a widely-publicized proposal from President Trump that would see him “pay himself” $230 million in taxpayer money as part of a settlement to pay restitution for federal cases brought against the President by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ).

“The corruption appears to be neverending. It’s not enough that President Trump bullied federal prosecutors with decades of experience to drop multiple cases against him despite significant evidence; now he has concocted a scheme where he would leave taxpayers with a bill to pay him for them. But the President himself has stumbled on the major and obvious problem here – the wild conflict of interest in having him both dictate and approve a payment of hundreds of millions of dollars to himself,” said Skye Perryman, President and CEO of Democracy Forward. “Every American should be concerned about this blatant act of corruption. Democracy Forward is working to shine a light on any communications surrounding this unlawful idea’s proposal or adoption. We will get to the bottom of what is happening in the American people’s name.” 

The requests, made under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), include all records and communications reflecting payments made by the DOJ, Department of Treasury or other parts of the federal government to President Trump on the basis of claims of liability, as well as communications – including Signal messages – between key officials in the DOJ regarding the President’s claims. 

Democracy Forward has submitted thousands of FOIA requests – and pursued dozens of related litigation to enforce compliance – to disseminate information in the public interest and to contribute to the public’s understanding of the priorities and activities of the Trump-Vance administration.

To read the request letters, click here. 

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Democracy Forward Foundation is a national legal organization that advances democracy and social progress through litigation, policy, public education, and regulatory engagement. For more information, please visit www.democracyforward.org.