Trump Administration Settles $1.25 Million Lawsuit with Carter Page Over Russia Probe Surveillance

The U.S. Department of Justice has agreed to pay $1.25 million to settle a lawsuit filed by Carter Page, a former adviser to Donald Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign, who alleged unlawful surveillance during the FBI’s investigation into Russian election interference.

The settlement resolves Page’s claims that the government violated his constitutional rights by obtaining Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court warrants based on incomplete and inaccurate information. Page had asserted he was the target of “unlawful spying” by FBI officials investigating potential ties between the Trump campaign and Russia.

Page, who has consistently denied any improper connections to Russia and was never charged with wrongdoing, filed the lawsuit in 2020. Lower courts had previously dismissed the case, ruling he waited too long to bring the claim. However, while his appeal was pending before the Supreme Court, the Trump administration informed the justices it had reached a settlement.

The Justice Department confirmed the agreement but did not disclose the financial terms in its court filing. A person familiar with the matter, speaking on condition of anonymity, told The Associated Press the settlement amount was $1.25 million.

The settlement does not extend to claims Page made against individual former FBI officials, which remain part of the ongoing litigation. Page had also sued those officials separately, alleging misconduct in the surveillance applications.

The case stems from the FBI’s 2016 and 2017 applications to monitor Page under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, which were later scrutinized for relying on contested intelligence, including the Steele dossier. Subsequent reviews by the Justice Department inspector general identified significant errors and omissions in the surveillance warrant requests.