Former Trump aides are warning newbies: Buy legal insurance or risk a hefty bill

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: NBC News

Jan. 18, 2025, 6:00 AM EST


WASHINGTON — As Republicans gear up for new jobs in the second Trump administration, people who worked for Donald Trump the first time around are dispensing advice about a must-buy item for those coming to Washington. It’s not an article of clothing or a trendy apartment, and it is something most hope they will never use.

Incoming administration staffers are being warned to weigh the threat of a pricey legal defense and consider purchasing a form of legal insurance that would provide them a lawyer if needed, a protection that many now consider part of doing business after former Trump aides were hauled before congressional committees and grand juries over the past eight years, five former senior administration officials and longtime Washington advisers said.

In a cautionary move, Trump’s transition has briefed some incoming administration staff members on the need to price and buy professional liability insurance, according to two people familiar with the warnings. The transition did not respond to requests for comment. It is a need that former aides said they realized they had during Trump’s first impeachment. “Everyone started getting it,” a former administration official said. This person went without insurance and emerged unscathed but said if they returned, they would not be so cavalier.

“You need legal representation if you’re facing people who have the arms of the government at their disposal,” said a former White House official who also was not covered by insurance during the last administration but has purchased it since. “It’s very intimidating when you don’t have people on your side to tell you what you can do and what circumstances you might be walking into.”

Read more: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/white-house/former-trump-aides-are-warning-newbies-buy-legal-insurance-risk-hefty-rcna187505

[uncle ray]

1. or maybe think twice before committing crimes for trump.

[berniesandersmittens]

2. Legal insurance should be illegal

Or at least unnecessary. Wth is happening? Our institutions have been completely taken over.

[rsdsharp]

10. Why should it be illegal?

[berniesandersmittens]

15. The need for it at all

In a supposedly equal justice system of representation, the fact that this insurance even exists shows that justice is by and for those with wealth.

[rsdsharp]

16. The suggestion was for new Trump staffers.

The people he will order to do illegal or unethical things, and then throw away like a used Kleenex. They aren’t rich; they’re the people who can’t pay hundreds of thousands of dollars for legal counsel through a trial. The rich can.

The insurance helps to level the playing field.

[COL Mustard]

18. If I were hauled in front of a Congressional committee or a grand jury....

I'd sure as Hell want someone guiding me through the process. I've been in Washington for a long time and the climate for that kind of thing has just gotten worse. I'm just a rank-and-file civil servant but no way could I afford the legal bills that would come with something like that.

[ananda]

3. Welp... would you work under those conditions?

People are so insane these days.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

4. The real question to ask these people is:

"Why on god's green earth would you consider working for someone who's so awful you need legal insurance???? Why?"

[BumRushDaShow]

7. Many of these people are "opportunists" and will take any "opportunity" that they can

and then they move on. They figure it is a way to "network" and make contacts with others who might offer them better "opportunities", or at least point them to those who could.

[COL Mustard]

19. They'll be able to monetize their experience....

Once they're done with their "public service". You know the drill.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

5. This is sad

If you do not plan on breaking the law, you should not need this insurance.

[Lasher]

6. Locking.

We see this as a feature article, and not actual news.

[markbark]

8. What underwriter would issue a policy?

It's just like someone trying to buy flood insurance for beachfront property in Florida.
"Oh, you work for Tr*mp and you want an errors and omissions policy? Nope (hangs up)"
Either that or the premiums are $10k/month

[BumRushDaShow]

9. I'm sure these are available

"for a 'price'".

[DENVERPOPS]

14. Caveat Emptor........

But knowing the insurance industry, in fine print it says: If YOU have anything to do with a crime, breach of ethics, civil matter, etc...no matter how remotely, this legal insurance policy is null and void......Especially, in any Civil Court.... AND any one charged with a crime, or civil matter, that appears in front of a judge(s) appointed by Trump, WILL BE COVERED, due to the fact that when the Trump appointed judge, no matter how egregious, throws it out of court, the insurance company can go after other party to recover ludicrous legal fees purportedly incurred.....this includes any and all class action law suits.....as they are most profitable for lawyers.....

[edhopper]

11. I don't think they have to worry this time

With Bondi at the DOJ and Patel at the FBI, no one in the Administration will be prosecuted.

[BumRushDaShow]

12. Unless there is a violation of state laws*

(*the caveat being what states would do it among the blue states as we know the red states would take a pass)

[orangecrush]

13. Better call Saul

[Grins]

17. I wonder how insurance company actuaries would price that?

And what their criteria would be for the risk?