On October 23, 2025, Democracy Forward submitted multiple FOIA requests asking for all non-exempt documents relating to President Trump’s $230 million payout scheme, and a request for expedited processing on November 18, 2025. Despite these requests, neither DOJ nor Treasury has produced a single substantial record or issued a legally required determination
On December 15, 2025, Democracy Forward filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Departments of Justice (DOJ) and the Treasury Department to enforce the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), as the agencies have stonewalled multiple requests for records that would shed light on President Trump’s effort to obtain a $230 million taxpayer-funded payout for investigations into his own misconduct as well as the compromised process reportedly underway inside the DOJ to evaluate his demands.
The lawsuit asks the court to enforce the FOIA and compel the DOJ and Treasury to immediately search for and release all non-exempt records, provide an index for any withheld materials, and stop stonewalling the public on an issue that strikes at the heart of government ethics and accountability. The lawsuit addresses the concerns that the public has no clarity on what President Trump has claimed, who is reviewing his claims, or whether agency leadership, including Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, who previously served as Trump’s personal defense attorney, is preparing to sign off on a self-enrichment scheme.
In addition to the lawsuit, Democracy Forward sent a letter to the Office of the Inspector General at the DOJ, urging the office to launch their own investigation into this matter.
Timeline
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Filed multiple FOIA requests to DOJ and the Treasury seeking all documents related to President Trump’s payout scheme.
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Request sent for expedited processing of the filed FOIA requests.
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Lawsuit filed to compel the release of the requested information, and letter sent to the Office of Inspector General.
