Our President-elect Donald Trump has a huge, ridiculous penthouse at his own Trump Tower in Manhattan. His wife, Melania Trump, mentioned that she and their youngest son Barron are staying there until he finishes the school year.
This is costing more for the taxpayers because the future First Lady needs Secret Service protection. Now, they are talking about running a command post out of two vacant floors in the building.
The city is asking for help from the federal government to protect the First Family:
“This is a very substantial undertaking. We are particularly concerned about overtime costs, and we think it’s a very valid situation to turn to the federal government for the maximum possible reimbursement for those costs.
“We are devoted to making sure this city will keep moving. This is a big challenge and an unprecedented challenge, we know that, but we are committed to making it work.”
The space at Trump Tower will cost $3 million a year. The Secret Service is required to protect the First Family wherever they go. They often rent nearby property for Secret Service agents when the First Family travels, but nothing as extravagant or as expensive as Trump Tower.
This has happened before with other presidents, but this case is different because the Secret Service will be renting from Trump’s business, not from Trump himself.
Also, the President-elect says that he will be making regular weekend trips to New York until his wife moves to the White House. This will cost taxpayers even more.
Former Secret Service agent Evy Poumpouras said:
“This is one of those situations where they really should have an honest conversation with him and just really explain to him that this is not a good idea. To physically re-create the security that exists at the White House in New York City, it’s not going to happen.”
Trump needs to think about these things now that he is going to be an elected official.
Watch this video for more information on how the Secret Service operates to secure the president-elect in his home:
Featured image via YouTube screenshot.
