President Trump Criticizes Former Lawyer Over Contract
The former president expressed frustration over a $50 million contract secured by lawyer Alina Habba Mildon.
Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Financial Crime
Live Poll
Should private contracts involving former government officials be subject to public financial scrutiny?
President Donald Trump has expressed anger regarding a four-year, $50 million contract signed by his former personal lawyer, Alina Habba Mildon. The president has requested that a portion of the earnings be donated to his future presidential library.
Why it matters
The tension stems from the significant financial value of the contract secured by a former adviser, leading the president to demand contributions to his personal project.
Alina Habba Mildon, a former Justice Department adviser and U.S. attorney in New Jersey, signed a four-year general counsel contract with a firm linked to Julio Herrera Velutini's daughter. The contract is valued at over $50 million.
The players
President Donald Trump
He is the current President of the United States and has served as a central figure in various legal and political proceedings.
Alina Habba Mildon
She is a former U.S. attorney in New Jersey, former Justice Department adviser, and personal lawyer to President Donald Trump.
Julio Herrera Velutini
He is a figure associated with the legal work and previously sought a presidential pardon.
The details
Alina Habba Mildon previously served as a personal lawyer to President Donald Trump, who is now demanding she donate a share of her earnings to his presidential library. The contract involves work for the family of Julio Herrera Velutini, who previously sought a pardon from the president.
Timeline
The contract was signed by Alina Habba Mildon in 2025.
President Trump learned of the contract and expressed his anger in October 2026.
Legal Context
This dispute over private compensation for a former government attorney highlights the ongoing tensions regarding professional conduct and conflicts of interest within administration orbits. The situation follows a pattern of heightened scrutiny regarding the post-service financial arrangements of presidential legal counsel.
The public remains informed as the president leverages his influence to redirect significant private wealth toward his personal library project. This development underscores the continued interplay between private legal practice and the political interests of the White House.
The takeaway
This conflict serves as a reminder of the complex financial intersections between former government officials and their previous political employers. Observers should note how personal influence and professional contracts can become subjects of high-level presidential scrutiny.
Further reading
For more information on legal regulations regarding private counsel, visit the Financial Crime section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The New York Times.
Live Poll
Should private contracts involving former government officials be subject to public financial scrutiny?
