President Donald Trump has filed a
sweeping $230 million lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ),
accusing the agency of “targeted political persecution” in connection with
multiple investigations conducted during and after his presidency.
Legal experts and political analysts
have described the move as “unprecedented” — and “legally baseless” — as Trump
simultaneously continues to consolidate power within his administration by
dismissing several members of federal oversight boards.
The
Lawsuit: “Weaponization of Justice,” Trump Claims
In the 187-page complaint filed in
the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, Trump alleges that the
DOJ violated his constitutional rights through “abuse of process” and
“selective enforcement.”
The suit claims that investigations into his handling of classified documents,
foreign business dealings, and alleged interference in the 2020 election were
conducted with “political intent rather than legitimate legal grounds.”
Trump’s legal team is demanding $230
million in damages, claiming harm to his reputation, financial interests,
and political prospects.
In a statement from his campaign
office, Trump said:
“For years, corrupt officials in the
DOJ have tried to destroy me with fake investigations and political witch
hunts. This lawsuit is about accountability — not just for me, but for every
American who’s been targeted by a weaponized justice system.”
Experts
Call It “Frivolous,” Predict Quick Dismissal
Constitutional law scholars quickly
pushed back against Trump’s claims.
Harvard Law professor Laurence Tribe told reporters that the lawsuit
“has virtually no chance of succeeding,” arguing that federal prosecutors enjoy
broad immunity for official actions.
“It’s more of a political statement
than a legal one,” Tribe said. “The courts have consistently held that
executive branch officials cannot be sued for doing their jobs — especially
when those jobs involve investigating potential crimes.”
Former DOJ official Neal Katyal
called the filing “absurd” and suggested it was designed to rally Trump’s
political base ahead of key Republican primaries.
Dismissal
of Oversight Board Sparks Outrage
In a parallel move that has drawn
widespread criticism, Trump’s administration dismissed all six members of
the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts (CFA) — an independent board responsible
for overseeing the design and preservation of federal buildings, monuments, and
public art in Washington, D.C.
The dismissed commissioners had been
reviewing a controversial proposal known as the “Arc de Trump” project,
a monumental structure Trump reportedly envisioned as a symbol of “American
strength and unity.”
White House officials confirmed the
dismissals but declined to elaborate. Critics, however, say the action reflects
Trump’s broader strategy to consolidate executive control and sideline
independent institutions.
Senator Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.)
condemned the move as “an authoritarian step backward,” adding:
“When a president starts firing
watchdogs and suing the Justice Department, it’s not reform — it’s
retribution.”
Political
Implications
The lawsuit and dismissals come amid
intensifying political turmoil in Washington. The federal government shutdown
has entered its 29th day, and tensions between Trump and Congress are
escalating over budget priorities and investigations into his administration.
Analysts say Trump’s legal offensive
may serve a dual purpose: diverting attention from ongoing policy failures
while galvanizing his supporters against perceived “deep state” enemies.
“This is classic Trump strategy —
dominate the news cycle, play the victim, and keep the base energized,” said
political analyst Amy Walter of The Cook Political Report.
What’s
Next
The DOJ has yet to issue a formal
response to the lawsuit but is expected to file a motion to dismiss within the
coming weeks. Meanwhile, the White House has hinted that further restructuring
of independent federal commissions could follow.
Whether this aggressive legal and
political posture strengthens Trump’s standing or deepens institutional crises
remains to be seen — but one thing is clear: the battle between Trump and the
Justice Department is far from over.