A federal judge ruled in favor of the Justice Department in a 2019 lawsuit filed against Snowden that argued the whistleblower's autobiography, "Permanent Record," violated a nondisclosure agreement, according to court records.

As of this month, Snowden has earned approximately $4.2 million from book sales, royalties and related rights, according to CNN. The court filing from the Justice Department claims that Snowden's 56 paid speeches included information that violated his government secrecy agreement.

CNN reported that the money will be put into a trust based on a plan agreed on by Snowden and the Trump administration. 

The court decision comes after President Trump said last month that he was "looking at" pardoning Snowden, despite calling Snowden a "terrible threat" and a "terrible traitor" in 2013.