Global
U.S. President Donald Trump has criticized his former adviser, attorney Alina Habba Mildon, following her signing of a financial contract exceeding $50 million with a company linked to the family of a Venezuelan banker who previously faced bribery charges in the United States. Trump described the situation as "provocative and unacceptable," despite earlier statements praising her loyalty and bravery. In remarks made on Saturday evening, Trump called the contract acquisition during her tenure at the U.S. Department of Justice unacceptable, telling reporters at his Mar-a-Lago club in Florida, "I think it was provocative and completely infuriating, and unacceptable... absolutely unacceptable." He added that he informed his former lawyer that he did not want her to receive any money, labeling the incident as "horrible." These comments followed reports revealing that the family of Venezuelan banker Julio Herrera Velutini signed an agreement with Habba ensuring her over $50 million over four years. The deal stipulated annual payments of $10 million plus bonuses, while Habba was serving as acting U.S. Attorney General in New Jersey when she signed the contract with "Concord Partners," a company affiliated with the Herrera family, shortly after the company’s registration in late October 2025. Herrera had previously faced criminal bribery charges in the U.S. before entering a guilty plea agreement in August 2025. Information indicates that a court barred Habba from holding the U.S. Attorney General position before she began working for the Herrera family. She resigned from her post on December 8 and was appointed the same day as senior adviser to the Attorney General, a role she still held when she started working for Concord on January 1. On January 15, 2026, Trump issued a presidential pardon for Herrera, according to the U.S. Department of Justice website. Habba denied last week that the contract was connected to the pardon, stressing she received no payment for the pardon and had no meetings at the White House or Justice Department regarding it, nor performed any work related to obtaining a pardon for anyone. The repercussions of the case extend beyond the contract’s value and timing, raising questions about the overlap of Habba’s work for the Herrera family while serving as a Justice Department adviser, as well as the subsequent presidential pardon for the banker. Previously, Trump had repeatedly praised the Iraqi-born lawyer, describing her as "steadfast in her loyalty" with unmatched determination, and lauded her courage and support during his legal battles. He characterized her as a "fierce personality," commending her aggressive approach in confronting critics and her media presence defending him. Trump also defended his decision to appoint her as an adviser, stating that few people understand, like her, how to manipulate the justice system and use it as a weapon.
