RNC Has Spent $400K on Trump Family's Legal Bills

The Republican National Committee has admitted spending more than $400,000 to cover Russia-related legal bills for members of the Trump family—but it says the legal fees won't take a dime away from election spending. The RNC says it has paid more than $230,000 to two members of Trump's legal team, but the money comes from a legal proceedings account, which is separate from funds used for political work, Politico reports. An RNC official tells the AP that the committee has also paid almost $200,000 toward Donald Trump Jr.'s legal fees, including $30,000 for an attorney who helped prepare him for Senate testimony earlier this month.

Under a law created in 2014, the national committees of both parties were allowed to establish legal proceedings accounts to cover the expenses of election recounts and other legal matters. Donors are allowed to contribute a maximum of $100,200. Federal records show that the RNC's legal proceedings account has raised $3.35 million since the election, meaning it still has millions left after paying Russia-related legal fees for both Trumps, the Hill reports. In a move described as "highly unusual," Trump has also spent more than $500,000 in campaign funds on legal fees. (More Republican National Committee stories.)