Trump says Camp Lejeune settlement payments could speed up, but there’s a catch

US president Donald Trump has made a new promise to people seeking compensation for decades of water contamination at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, but his pledge to speed up settlements comes with a political condition. Republicans must win both chambers of Congress in US midterm elections.

While speaking at a rally in Greenville on Tuesday night, Trump said he would direct the Justice Department to settle all remaining legitimate claims as soon as possible if the GOP retains control of the House and Senate on November 3.

Trump highlighted that, “If we don’t win, there’s no money; if we do win, you’re getting it,” as quoted by The Sun.


The pledge comes as the government continues handling claims linked to toxic chemicals in drinking water at the Marine Corps base. Trump said his administration had already delivered $1 billion in settlements to veterans and their families. However, Justice Department figures show that actual payouts totaled $879 million as of September 18, while settlement offers had exceeded $1.1 billion, as per a Forbes report.

Trump Says Camp Lejeune Claims Could Be Settled Faster if GOP Wins

Trump said the remaining legitimate claims should be settled quickly, with payments going directly to veterans and their families rather than involving trial lawyers. However, his remarks don't change the eligibility rules under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act.

North Carolina Democratic Gov. Josh Stein criticized the president for linking faster settlements to the election outcome.

Stein wrote on X, “Real leaders fight for the people, not for power. To condition doing the right thing by sick North Carolinians on who wins the election is foul.”

The pledge comes as federal judges in North Carolina have directed the Justice Department and claimants’ attorneys to make their best efforts toward a broader settlement agreement by October 30.

More Than 400,000 Camp Lejeune Claims Filed

The scale of the compensation process is reflected in the number of claims filed. More than 400,000 damage claims have been submitted to the Navy alongside 3,784 lawsuits since the law was passed in 2022, as per Forbes report citing Roll Call data.

The Camp Lejeune Justice Act was signed by former US president Joe Biden in 2022, which was part of the Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act. It allows veterans, family members and others affected by the contaminated water to seek compensation from federal government for illnesses linked to the exposure of it.

Eligible claimants can receive expedited settlements ranging from $100,000 to $550,000, depending on the illness.

Why Veterans and Families Are Seeking Compensation

Drinking water at Camp Lejeune was contaminated from 1953 to 1987. It exposed service members, their families and others to toxic chemicals. A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study linked exposure to several serious illnesses including multiple types of cancer.

The settlement process has faced criticism over the size of individual offers. Earlier this week, right-wing social media figure Laura Loomer called out the Justice Department for making offers that undervalued veterans’ suffering, saying, “sending these veterans insulting lowball offers designed to insult and belittle their suffering,” quoted Forbes.

Attorney General Todd Blanche defended Associate Attorney General Stanley Woodward, whom Loomer had criticized, saying, "He is a patriot who is fighting for POTUS and the American people every day.”