President Donald Trump is seeking $230 million in compensation from the Justice Department for investigations and charges brought against him before he returned to the White House, according to the New York Times.

The complaints focus on the investigation into Russian election interference in 2016 and the classified documents case that involved an FBI raid at his Mar-a-Lago estate, per the Times.

"You know that decision would have to go across my desk, and it's awfully strange to make a decision where I'm paying myself," Trump said in the Oval Office on Oct 21. "But I was damaged very greatly ... And any money that I would get, I would give to charity."

Trump was named a defendant in more cases than those reportedly named in Trump's complaint. Here is what to know:

How many felonies does Donald Trump have?

Trump was found guilty by a New York jury of 34 counts of falsifying business records in May 2024, a historic development for a former president who would win the election months later. In the hush money case where Trump was found guilty, he received an "unconditional discharge" sentence, meaning he received no prison time or probation. Trump has tried to appeal by moving his case to a federal court, but CNN reported similar efforts have been unsuccessful in the past.

Though calling someone a "felon" is considered outdated language, Trump's felony conviction has not yet been erased through appeal or expungement.

Can Trump pardon himself out of his felonies?

Trump cannot pardon himself in the hush money case because presidential clemency power only applies to federal cases. His felony convictions came from a New York state case.

What case is the $230 million Justice Department about?

According to the New York Times, Trump submitted complaints through two claims:

  • In 2023, he claimed his rights had been violated during investigations into Russian election interference and possible connections to Trump's 2016 campaign.
  • In summer 2024, another complaint focused on the classified documents case, accusing the FBI of violating his privacy with the Mar-a-Lago raid and the DOJ of malicious prosecution.

The classified documents case was one of two federal cases that were dropped in accordance with a longstanding Department of Justice policy not to prosecute a sitting president. Trump's other criminal case in Georgia hit significant delays when a state appeals court disqualified the district attorney.

Contributing: Zac Anderson, USA TODAY

Kinsey Crowley is the Trump Connect reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at kcrowley@gannett.com. Follow her on X and TikTok @kinseycrowley or Bluesky at @kinseycrowley.bsky.social.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump reportedly suing DOJ, asking for $230 million. What happened to his felonies?

Reporting by Kinsey Crowley, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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