Trump criticizes former lawyer Alina Habba Mildon over new contract with pardoned Venezuelan family

What This is

• Donald Trump criticized a reported $50 million contract involving his former lawyer Alina Habba Mildon, calling it unacceptable and outrageous.
• The deal was reported to pay about $10 million a year for four years, with possible bonuses, in a role connected to a company tied to Herrera Velutini’s family.
• Several accounts say Trump told aides Habba should donate some of the money to his future presidential library or another Trump-linked entity.
• The contract was signed while Habba held Justice Department-connected roles, raising questions about outside work while tied to the department.
• Julio Herrera Velutini, a Venezuelan banker, later received an unconditional presidential pardon from Trump after pleading guilty to an illegal campaign finance-related offense.
• Habba Mildon and White House and Justice Department officials denied any improper link between her contract and the pardon.
• Habba Mildon said she was not paid for a pardon and was not involved in pardon discussions, disputing claims that the contract was for securing clemency.

Why This Matters

• The dispute raises trust questions about whether presidential pardons are based on justice or on who can pay for access and influence.
• It highlights how outside work by people tied to the Justice Department can create conflicts of interest, or the appearance of them.
• It adds pressure for clearer rules and disclosure on pardon lobbying, big donations, and fundraising for presidential projects like libraries.