Donald Trump's Security Detail Could Cost Taxpayers Big Time
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President-elect Donald Trump's security detail at Trump Tower may come out of taxpayers' wallets, law enforcement sources told the New York Post.
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The Secret Service and NYPD's reported plan to operate out of the luxury apartment complex round-the-clock could cost as much as $3 million a year in taxpayer money. It is not unheard of for a Secret Service detail to rent out properties outside of Washington, D.C. to protect politicians while they travel or vacation, the Independent reports. "[I]t cost roughly $2 million a year for the U.S. Coast Guard to station boats off the coast of George H. W. Bush’s Kennebunkport, Maine estate during his presidency," the New York Post reported.
In this case the rent checks would to go to a corporation owned by the President-elect.
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Authorities have allegedly set their sights on two vacant floors of the building.
From the New York Post:
"The federal agency and the NYPD plan to run a 24/7 command post out of the space that would be housed at least 40 floors below Trump’s $90 million penthouse triplex, where wife Melania and their 10-year-old son Barron will continue to reside at least through the spring, sources said.
"The first 26 floors of the glass-clad skyscraper are commercial tenants while the remaining levels are luxury apartments.
"But several commercial floors are currently vacant, sources said. The Secret Service is eyeing two contiguous floors for over 250 agents and cops, sources said."
Trump has reportedly spoken to advisors about alleged plans to fly back to his Manhattan and Florida properties on a regular basis after he takes office.
"They say that Mr. Trump, who was shocked when he won the election, might spend most of the week in Washington, much like members of Congress, and return to Trump Tower or his golf course in Bedminster, N.J., or his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach on weekends."
Many of the occupants of the Midtown triplex are relocating or left in the past year, driving rent prices down, according to the Hollywood Reporter.
The New York Post report comes amidst a conversation about the President-elect's potential conflicts of interest.
Trump is allegedly handing over his business empire to some of his his children, who are also serving on his transition team, the Boston Globe reports. There is also the question of Trump's actual finances — which remain shrouded in mystery due to his repeat refusal to release his tax returns. You can read a comprehensive list of these conflicts of interest on the Atlantic.
There has been speculation that the Trump Organization could stand to profit from Trump's presidency, posing an ethical dilemma.
Trump shrugged off the issue in a New York Times interview and a tweet.
Providing protection for the President-elect and his family in Manhattan has reportedly cost New York City around $1 million a day.
"We have never had a situation where a POTUS would be here on such a regular basis," New York Mayor Bill de Blasio told CNN.
You can read the original report on the New York Post.
