Todd Blanche Oversees $1.25 Million Flynn Settlement
todd blanche oversaw a Justice Department that reportedly paid Michael Flynn $1.25 million in a taxpayer-funded settlement. Days later, the government filed that it had reached another settlement in principle with Flynn on a different claim.
Michael Flynn and the payout
Flynn, a 2016 Trump campaign adviser, had pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about discussions with the Russian ambassador during the 2016 transition. Trump pardoned him after his case was dismissed, and the Justice Department had previously been fighting his lawsuit before reversing course under the Trump administration.
The reported $1.25 million payment gives Flynn the same figure the government paid Carter Page for claims tied to the Russia investigation. Page’s lawsuit had been dismissed by lower courts, and an appeal was pending when that payment was reported.
Trump claims and DOJ settlements
The Flynn payment fits a broader pattern in which the government has moved to settle claims involving Trump allies and supporters. At the start of his second term, Trump issued blanket clemency to more than 1,600 January 6 riot defendants and absolved them from owing restitution for the millions in damages caused during the attacks.
Pardoned January 6 rioters have sued the federal government for tens of millions of dollars over alleged physical and emotional damages caused by police while repelling the attacks. The Justice Department also moved to vacate the conspiracy and sedition convictions against Proud Boys and Oath Keepers leaders.
Flynn, Page, and Trump
The same pattern extends beyond Flynn. The president, his two sons, and The Trump Organization have sued the Internal Revenue Service for $10 billion, and the president had previously filed claims before the Justice Department seeking $230 million for grievances that included the search for classified documents at his Florida home and the Russia investigation.
Those cases place the president on both sides of the disputes described in the record. Flynn’s separate settlement in principle adds another payment under the same administration framework, while the filing days earlier shows the dispute was still being worked through in court.
