Trump Condemns Ex-Attorney Habba’s $50M Deal with Pardoned Banker’s Family
President Trump publicly criticized his former personal attorney, Alina Habba, for signing a reported $50 million four-year contract with the family of Venezuelan banker Julio Herrera Velutini. The deal, which included a $10 million annual salary, was finalized while Habba served as a senior adviser at the Justice Department, shortly before Trump pardoned Herrera. Habba denies any connection between her employment and the pardon, calling the timing coincidental, but Trump labeled the arrangement 'obnoxious and outrageous' and suggested some funds should go to his presidential library.
Key points
- Trump called Habba’s $50 million contract with the Herrera family 'totally obnoxious and outrageous' and 'not acceptable' during a Halloween event at Mar-a-Lago.
- The contract, reported by the New York Times, guaranteed Habba over $50 million over four years as general counsel for Concord Partners, a family company registered days before she signed on.
- Habba secured the position while still employed by the Justice Department, and Trump pardoned Julio Herrera Velutini just two weeks after she began her new role.
- Habba insists the timing is coincidental and that her employment was vetted and disclosed to the DOJ, denying any link to the pardon.
- The controversy follows a recent dispute where Habba accused Ric Grenell of failing to deposit a $5.6 million donation from her husband, Turhan Mildon, to the Kennedy Center.
Background
Alina Habba, who rose to prominence as Trump’s personal attorney in 2021, recently left her position as US Attorney for New Jersey. She married Turkish billionaire Turhan Mildon in September 2026. The current dispute over the $50 million contract adds to a series of high-profile conflicts within the administration, including a feud with Ric Grenell over a missing donation and questions regarding the source of funds sent to a defense software company.
Why it matters
The incident highlights tensions within the Trump administration over ethical boundaries regarding pardons and private employment. It raises questions about the influence of personal relationships on executive clemency decisions and the transparency of high-level legal appointments. The public rebuke by the President signals a shift in favor for a key loyalist and may impact perceptions of integrity within the Justice Department.
What to watch
The White House has denied any connection between Habba’s employment and the pardon, but the controversy may lead to further scrutiny of the pardon process. Trump’s suggestion that funds should go to his presidential library could prompt legal or ethical reviews. The outcome of the Kennedy Center donation dispute and the source of the $17.6 million wire transfer may also influence public perception of the administration’s financial dealings.
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