Scoop: Schiff seeks to block $230 million payout to Trump
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Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) Photo: Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images
Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) is trying to block President Trump from receiving payouts from the Justice Department with a new bill, Axios has learned.
Why it matters: It's the latest move in a long, ongoing battle between Trump and Schiff, which has been rife with accusations of political corruption.
- It comes as the House also plans to block a measure included in the recent government funding package that would allow senators to sue the government for up to $500,000 if their phone records were obtained without their knowledge.
Driving the news: Schiff is introducing a bill Thursday called the No Torts for Trump Act, which would prevent sitting presidents from seeking taxpayer-funded payouts by amending the Federal Tort Claims Act.
- The move follows reporting that Trump asked the Justice Department to pay him a settlement of roughly $230 million in compensation for its investigations into him.
What they're saying: "The core feature of Donald Trump's presidency is corruption," Schiff said in a statement first provided to Axios.
- "My bill would ensure that taxpayers are not ripped off for the president's benefit," he added.
- Schiff's bill is co-sponsored by Democratic Sens. Chris Van Hollen (Md.), Richard Blumenthal (Conn.), Ed Markey (Mass.), Mazie Hirono (Hawaii), Dick Durbin (Ill.), Jack Reed (R.I.) and Jacky Rosen (Nev.)
Zoom out: Trump submitted formal complaints before his re-election, demanding $230 million in compensation for both the Russia and unclassified documents investigations into him.
- Top administration officials told Axios there has been no discussion about the request since 2024, though Trump himself vaguely acknowledged the complaint when asked about it in the Oval Office last month.
- Regardless, the news has raised serious ethical concerns, given Trump's remaking of the DOJ — staffing it with loyalists, including those who have defended him in court
Between the lines: Trump has called for Schiff to be prosecuted for mortgage fraud and has long called for investigations into the now-senator.
- In the House, Schiff served as the lead investigator and prosecutor during Trump's first impeachment proceedings.
