‘Terrible Optics!’ GOP Senator Rips Trump for Asking for $230 Million From Taxpayers

AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite

Senator Thom Tillis (R-SC) ripped President Donald Trump on Wednesday over the “terrible optics” of chasing $230 million of taxpayers’ money in his reported bid to sue the Justice Department for past legal battles.

The New York Times reported Tuesday that Trump has filed a lawsuit over the years-long investigations into him. During President Joe Biden’s term in office, then–Attorney General Merrick Garland appointed Special Counsel Jack Smith, who brought two major cases against Trump, one concerning his alleged retention of classified documents, and another over efforts to overturn the 2020 election.

Trump pleaded not guilty to all charges, which were later dropped following his 2024 election victory. He is also seeking separate damages tied to the Justice Department’s earlier probe into possible links between his 2016 campaign and Russia.

Asked about the reported lawsuit by CNN’s chief congressional correspondent Manu Raju, Tillis replied: “It’s terrible optics, particularly right now. We’re talking about a quarter of a billion dollars transferring, maybe to the President when we’re in a shutdown posture.”

The journalist followed up, asking him if Trump should “drop the ask.”

Tillis replied: “I think right now, it’s really bad timing.”

Raju noted that other Republicans on Capitol Hill were less open about their feelings.

Sens. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and John Cornyn (R-TX) both replied they did not know the details and would not weigh in on the issue.

Tillis openly clashed with Trump in July after refusing to vote for the president’s One Big Beautiful Bill, which resulted in a barrage of insults being levelled at him from the Oval Office.

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