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Welcome to The Logoff: President Donald Trump is making an attempt to pay himself $230 million in taxpayer cash.
Wait, what? The cost, which was first reported Tuesday by the New York Instances, would take the type of compensation for 2 administrative claims Trump has filed in opposition to the Justice Division over investigations into his 2016 marketing campaign’s ties with Russia, and over the FBI raid of Mar-a-Lago and later DOJ indictment over his retention of categorised paperwork upon leaving the White Home in 2021.
Can he do this? It’s shockingly, cartoonishly unethical — one supply described it to the Instances as “so fundamental and basic, you don’t want a regulation professor to elucidate it” — however it additionally doesn’t look like anybody can cease him.
Trump filed the claims, which aren’t lawsuits, in 2023 and 2024; cost for any claims must be accredited by the Justice Division, and could be made to Trump personally.
There are two individuals on the DOJ who might approve a cost of the magnitude Trump is demanding — each have been appointed to their roles by Trump. One is Trump’s personal former private lawyer, Deputy Legal professional Basic Todd Blanche, and the opposite beforehand represented different figures in Trump’s shut orbit. It’s arduous to think about a clearer battle of curiosity.
Why does this matter? Trump has a protracted historical past of demanding eye-poppingly giant numbers for perceived offenses; earlier this 12 months, he sued the New York Instances for $15 billion in a grievance that was subsequently dismissed. On this case, nevertheless, the courts aren’t there to behave as a guardrail; there’s nothing to cease the cost, which can not even be publicly disclosed when it’s made.
And with that, it’s time to sign off…
My colleague Bryan Walsh does a reliably unbelievable job highlighting excellent news out on this planet, and I notably loved his newest piece, all about the advantages of city biking. To call just a few: It’s environment friendly, good for the local weather, and good for you — and cities, within the US and elsewhere, are lastly beginning to make investments extra in protected bike lanes and different infrastructure for cyclists. You possibly can learn the story right here; have an amazing night and we’ll see you again right here tomorrow!
