Secret Service asked for $60 million extra for Trump-era travel and protection, documents show The U.S. Secret Service requested $60 million in additional funding for the next year, offering the most precise estimate yet of the escalating costs for travel and protection resulting from the unusually complicated lifestyle of the Trump family, according to internal agency documents reviewed by The Washington Post.
Nearly half of the additional money, $26.8 million, would pay to protect President Trump’s family and private home in New York’s Trump Tower, the documents show, while $33 million would be spent on travel costs incurred by “the president, vice president and other visiting heads of state.”
The documents, part of the Secret Service’s request for the fiscal 2018 budget, reflect the costly surprise facing Secret Service agents tasked with guarding the president’s large and far-flung family, accommodating their ambitious travel schedules and fortifying the three-floor Manhattan penthouse where first lady Melania Trump and her son, Barron, live.
Trump has spent most of his weekends since inauguration at his Mar-a-Lago Club in Florida, and his sons have traveled the world to promote Trump properties with Secret Service agents in tow.
The documents reviewed by The Post did not show how the new budget requests compare to the funding needs for past presidents, and such figures are not public information. The Secret Service and Department of Homeland Security, which oversees the protective agency, declined to provide cost breakdowns and have said in the past that such figures are confidential, citing security concerns.
A person familiar with internal Secret Service budget discussions said the requests for additional funding, prepared in late February, were rejected by the Office of Management and Budget, an arm of the White House. That means the agency will likely have to divert other spending to handle the additional burden. While best known for protecting the president, Secret Service agents also investigate cybercrimes, counterfeit-money operations and cases involving missing and exploited minors.
The Secret Service declined to respond to questions after The Post provided a summary of the documents. The service referred questions to DHS, which also declined to comment. The White House referred questions to the Secret Service and the Office of Management and Budget, which did not respond.
The budget requests reflect a potentially awkward contrast between Trump’s efforts to cut federal spending in many areas and the escalating costs of his freewheeling travel itinerary. Trump jetted to Mar-a-Lago on Friday for his fifth post-inaguration weekend trip, one day after the White House released a federal budget proposing deep cuts to many government programs.
Former agents said the requests indicate that the agency had to adapt to offer full protection for a president and first family who appear to have placed few limits on their personal travel and living arrangements.
“The Secret Service cannot dictate the lifestyle of the protectee. They have to work around it,” said Jonathan Wackrow, a 14-year Secret Service employee who is now executive director of the risk-mitigation company RANE. “I don’t think they expected him to go to Florida so often. This was an unanticipated reality,” he added, for which the Secret Service “had to quickly readjust operations.”
Some of the public funding could potentially become revenue for Trump’s private company, the Trump Organization, which owns the Trump Tower that agents must now protect. The Defense Department and Secret Service have sought to rent space in Trump Tower but have not said how much space they’re interested in, or at what cost. Neither the Secret Service nor the Trump Organization have disclosed how much public money, if any, is being spent toward Trump Tower space or other costs.
The Secret Service would not provide any details on the typical budget for protecting the first family. The agency requested $734 million for its fiscal 2017 “operations and support” protection budget, which would include the expenses for all protected individuals and foreign heads of state, DHS budget documents show.
The $26.8 million funding request says the money is needed for “residence security operations at the president’s private residence in Trump Tower,” with roughly $12.5 million earmarked to cover “personnel related costs in New York.”
The money would also go toward protective assignments for the president’s children and grandchildren, as well as costs for “protective advances and protective intelligence activities.” The request also sought six additional full-time-equivalent positions for the Trump security details.
The $26.8 million budget item is marked as $0 in previous years, which former Secret Service agents said likely meant that the costs were part of a new budget category designed to encapsulate the unusual expense of protecting the first lady and the president’s youngest son because they live outside the White House.
There were also additional undisclosed costs, spent in fiscal 2017, to install “equipment and infrastructure to secure Trump Tower,” according to the request.
W. Ralph Basham, a longtime Secret Service employee who served as director under President George W. Bush, said that the agency clearly had no “crystal ball” to predict Trump’s victory, and thus, had not accounted for the price tag of his presidency.
“The expense of taking on a family like the Trumps versus taking on a family like the Clintons,” he said. “It’s a totally different funding scenario.”
New York City boasts some of the highest real estate prices in the nation, and Basham noted that the Secret Service “does not have the liberty of going out in New Jersey” to find cheap rental space. “You have to be there,” he said, referring to Trump Tower.
Basham said it is difficult to pinpoint exact expenses at this stage in the budget process. But he estimated that the $26.8 million request would likely include costs for command centers, agents’ room and board, communications expenses and rental space.
Jeffrey Robinson, co-author of the book “Standing Next To History: An Agent’s Life Inside the Secret Service” with former Secret Service agent Joseph Petro, said the logistics of protecting Trump Tower are “a nightmare” because of its easily accessible location on Fifth Avenue.
“They have to secure Trump Tower because Melania is there,” Robinson said. “They protect the first family. They have to protect the grandchildren. This is going to be an expensive operation.”
Robinson said the budget request is not surprising, considering that the agency is mandated by Congress to protect the president. “They need the money that they need,” he said.
A separate travel-funding request seeks $33 million on top of the agency’s $74 million fiscal 2018 protection-travel budget. The document justifies the request by saying that Secret Service travel, in general, is “extremely variable, difficult to predict and difficult to plan for in advance as many protectees’ travel plans are unknown with limited time to prepare.”
The request does not specifically name Mar-a-Lago, and the travel budget changes year to year based on many factors. The total protective travel budget for fiscal year 2015 was about $80 million. That figure climbed to $160 million in the heat of the 2016 presidential campaign, when agents were protecting multiple candidates.
But former agents said that, typically, costs go down in the first year of a new presidency.
Before taking office, Trump repeatedly criticized the cost of President Barack Obama’s travel, saying the fact that Obama’s trips were “costing taxpayers millions of dollars” was “unbelievable.” During the campaign, Trump pledged to save public money by working diligently in Washington and skipping out on expensive travel.
“There’s no time for vacation. We’re not going to be big on vacations,” Trump said at a campaign rally last year. “The White House is this incredible place. It represents so much, and you’re there for a limited period of time. If you’re at the White House and you have so much work to do, why do you fly? Why do you leave so much?”
The conservative group Judicial Watch, which closely tracked Obama’s family travel, estimated the Obamas’ vacation expenses totaled nearly $97 million over eight years.
White House press secretary Sean Spicer on Monday countered criticism of Trump’s frequent travel to Mar-a-Lago, saying, “The president is very clear that he works seven days a week. This is where he goes to see his family. He brings people down there. This is part of being president.”
Experts say that it is common for incoming presidential administrations to have unique logistical challenges, including George W. Bush, who preferred to spend time at his remote ranch in Crawford, Tex.
Mar-a-Lago has quickly become a capital of Trump’s presidency and will play host to Chinese President Xi Jinping next month. On Friday night, the president surprised attendees when he popped into a club charity event to congratulate Patrick Park, a Palm Beach philanthropist who has said he hopes to be named U.S. ambassador to Austria.
The Secret Service’s protection costs are only a fraction of the total public spending devoted to safeguarding Trump properties. New York police spent roughly $24 million toward security costs at Trump Tower between the election and inauguration, according to police figures provided to The Post.
The agency is seeking federal reimbursement for the security costs. When the president is in town, New York police expect to spend about $300,000 a day safeguarding Trump Tower. On days when only the first lady and the president’s son are in town, police expect security costs will drop to between $127,000 and $145,000 a day. A police spokesman said the estimates could change based on officer deployments, intelligence and other factors.
At Mar-a-Lago, Palm Beach County officials say their sheriff’s office has spent more than $1.5 million toward overtime for deputies guarding the exclusive club Trump has taken to calling “the southern White House” and “winter White House.”
County officials have proposed levying a special fee on the club, saying they would have to otherwise raise taxes on local residents to help cover the club’s high security costs. The Coast Guard has also paid to provide round-the-clock patrols of the island club’s two coastlines, including through the use of a gun-mounted response boat that, according to agency budget documents, costs $1,500 an hour.
The Secret Service has struggled through years of budget shortages and low morale. Former Secret Service agents said tightening budgets have hit agents hard and that, unlike other agencies, the Secret Service can’t travel less or staff fewer people to keep costs down because full protection for the first family is guaranteed.
“Everything will get done,” said Wackrow, the former agent who served in Obama’s protective detail. “But at what pain point does it get done?”
Carol Leonnig, Devlin Barrett, Julie Tate and Alice Crites contributed to this report.
JUST BECAUSE SISSY SAYS SO DOESN'T MAKE IT SO...BUT HE THINKS IT DOES!!!!! JUST BECAUSE MC1 SAYS SO DOESN'T MAKE IT SO!!!!!
Palm Beach Is Sick of Paying for Donald Trump's Weekend Visits to Mar-a-Lago
Jennifer Calfas Mar 16, 2017
President Donald Trump will return to his lavish Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Fla., yet again this weekend. It will be his fifth visit to the resort during the short period he's taken over at the White House. Trump's past trips to Palm Beach have been nothing short of eventful, with a national security crisis occurring in front of high-paying Mar-a-Lago members during dinner, frequent golf outings at his private golf club, and surprise appearances at charity events hosted by Mar-a-Lago . However, more than anything, his trips have cost taxpayers big time. CBS News reports American taxpayers spend more than $3 million each time Trump heads to the “Winter White House.” But that's only part of the price of Trump's weekend getaways. Residents in Palm Beach have been hit with additional costs to protect the president, to the tune of more than $1 million since Trump was elected.
As the Palm Beach Post first reported earlier this week, one local political leader has a solution: Make Mar-a-Lago pay for it. Dave Kerner, a county commissioner for Palm Beach's third district, is asking the county’s attorney office to explore making Mar-a-Lago’s owner reimburse the county for “special benefits” given to the resort. Kerner’s proposal would make Mar-a-Lago a “municipal service benefit unit,” meaning the county can require the resort to pay for the costs incurred by Trump’s frequent visits. “We’re very honored to have the president here, but at the same time, his travel here is such high frequency he’s not visiting Palm Beach County — he’s governing from it,” Kerner told MONEY
The Palm Beach Sheriff’s Office says that the county has spent $570,000 to help security and other measures to protect Trump during his presidency, and that doesn't include overtime pay. Law enforcement officials assigned to aiding the president’s visits are paid overtime, totaling another $60,000 or so per day. Trump also visited Palm Beach during the winter holidays after he was elected but before he became president, costing the county around $548,000. Altogether, the bill comes to well over $1 million in Trump-related costs incurred by the county over the past few months.
Kerner says the federal government has refused to reimburse the county. As a result, Kerner says he has no choice but to find another avenue to seek reimbursement, and charging Mar-a-Lago looks like the best option.
“Whatever our priorities are, the taxpayers didn’t pay this money to us to protect the president,” Kerner said.
The county is currently facing a $40 million deficit and a devastating heroin epidemic, Kerner said. He thinks local taxpayer dollars should be used on these pressing county issues, not on special accommodations for the president.
“This is not about President Trump; this is not about me being a Democrat,” he added. “I just want to see that their taxpayer dollars are being used for what they’re for.”
Palm Beach taxpayers aren't the only locals feeling the Trump Effect. Some Palm Beach businesses are suffering as a result of frequent Trump visits too. For example, the New York Times reported that private businesses at the Palm Beach County Park Airport have to shut down due to flight restrictions imposed by the U.S. Secret Service.
Trump's trips to Mar-a-Lago have also spurred controversy due to the ethical concerns they raise. It’s expected for a president to find a place to escape for leisure and meetings, but unlike past presidents, Trump is retreating to a resort that he owns and profits from. Every visit is essentially free publicity on a global scale for Mar-a-Lago and Trump's business interests.
Trump, who bought Mar-a-Lago in the 1980s, announced before he took office that his son, Donald Trump, Jr., would become director of the resort. However, by not placing his assets in a blind trust, Trump has not fully divested from his real estate empire and businesses. Some critics have accused Trump of seeking personal financial gain by promoting Mar-a-Lago as a frequent spot for his high-profile meetings as president.
TIME reports Trump made nearly $30 million by running Mar-a-Lago in 2015. And the resort could reap far higher revenues going forward: After Trump won the 2016 election, initiative fees for members were doubled to a staggering $200,000.
Meanwhile, it's worth noting that while President Barack Obama was in office, Trump frequently criticized him for “costing taxpayers millions of dollars” by taking trips.
Trump is hosting Chinese President Xi Jinping at Mar-a-Lago this weekend. That means another $3+ million in security costs passed along to American taxpayers, plus hundreds of thousands in additional expenses that must be covered by the locals in Palm Beach. And Mar-a-Lago is sure to get plenty of terrific free publicity, thanks to the media coverage in China in particular.
And the point is???? We are forced to pay thru taxation for abortions, other peoples cell phones, other peoples food, clothing, heat(HEAP) and housing. We are forced to pay thru taxation for birth control and viagra. We are forced to pay thru taxation for failing infrastructure. We are forced to pay thru taxation for the arts/entertainment. We are forced to pay thru taxation for state/community colleges. We are forced to pay thru taxation for Catholic Charity. We are forced to pay thru taxation for every illegal war that kills millions of the innocent. We are forced to pay thru taxation for WMD that could kill all of mankind, while we pay EPA to protect BATS and other wildlife. OMG We are forced to pay thru taxation for preservation of land/parks while we blow the hell out of land that inhabits human beings all over the world! (the irony) We are forced to pay thru taxation for prisoners who grow and sell a PLANT. .............and the freakin' list goes on and on and on.....
TRUMP TOWER?.........REALLY????
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
And the point is???? We are forced to pay thru taxation for abortions, other peoples cell phones, other peoples food, clothing, heat(HEAP) and housing. We are forced to pay thru taxation for birth control and viagra. We are forced to pay thru taxation for failing infrastructure. We are forced to pay thru taxation for the arts/entertainment. We are forced to pay thru taxation for state/community colleges. We are forced to pay thru taxation for Catholic Charity. We are forced to pay thru taxation for every illegal war that kills millions of the innocent. We are forced to pay thru taxation for WMD that could kill all of mankind, while we pay EPA to protect BATS and other wildlife. OMG We are forced to pay thru taxation for preservation of land/parks while we blow the hell out of land that inhabits human beings all over the world! (the irony) We are forced to pay thru taxation for prisoners who grow and sell a PLANT. .............and the freakin' list goes on and on and on.....
TRUMP TOWER?.........REALLY????
DID YOU READ THE SUBJET LINE?.......and the POINT IS what this so-called President is adding to the backs of taxpayers beyond everything else that is self-serving his ego and lining his bank account....DUH!!!! GOT IT?
JUST BECAUSE SISSY SAYS SO DOESN'T MAKE IT SO...BUT HE THINKS IT DOES!!!!! JUST BECAUSE MC1 SAYS SO DOESN'T MAKE IT SO!!!!!
DID YOU READ THE SUBJET LINE?.......and the POINT IS what this so-called President is adding to the backs of taxpayers beyond everything else that is self-serving his ego and lining his bank account....DUH!!!! GOT IT?
REALLY??? OMG!!!!! .......sooooooooooooooo if we the taxpayers can stop paying for Trump's whatevers........you are REALLY ok with the rest of the billions of FORCED TAXATION??? OMG!!!
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
REALLY??? OMG!!!!! .......sooooooooooooooo if we the taxpayers can stop paying for Trump's whatevers........you are REALLY ok with the rest of the billions of FORCED TAXATION??? OMG!!!
REALLY??? OMG!!!!! OMG!!!!! Again, THAT IS NOT THE INTENT NOR THE TOPIC of this post... Wanna discuss those other issues, then start a thread specific to that!
So, on topic, are you okay with what this so-called President is costing taxpayers, AND the fact he is lining his pockets in the process? THAT IS WHAT THIS POST IS ABOUT!!!!!
JUST BECAUSE SISSY SAYS SO DOESN'T MAKE IT SO...BUT HE THINKS IT DOES!!!!! JUST BECAUSE MC1 SAYS SO DOESN'T MAKE IT SO!!!!!
Sorry...I will act surprised by your post showing that politicians are bull shittng crooked scumbags.
Russians hacked the election!!!!
Wonderful idea...try putting it in an appropriate post and not one that specifically is directed at THE COSTS OF THIS SO-CALLED PRESIDENT that are above and beyond the normal costs taxpayers are straddled with and that are also lining his pockets. IDIOT!!!!
JUST BECAUSE SISSY SAYS SO DOESN'T MAKE IT SO...BUT HE THINKS IT DOES!!!!! JUST BECAUSE MC1 SAYS SO DOESN'T MAKE IT SO!!!!!
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