Letter to the Editor: Taxpayer Blank Check?

To paraphrase then-candidate Ronald Reagan, “Here we go again.” The inconsistencies of the so-called populist Trump Presidency are hard to keep up with. But one that has been particularly troublesome to me is the amount of public dollars that are being spent, with little hesitation, on security for the extended First Family. Now, I wish no ill will to the Trumps and the possibility of that is all too real in this day and age. There needs to be security.

But, do the taxpayers need to spend $ 3.6 million each weekend he is at his private club in Florida (where he charges and collects membership fees)? Since being inaugurated in January, Mr. Trump has been to his private club, at our expense four times. That adds up to $14.4 million of U.S. taxpayer dollars and does not include the Palm Beach, Fla., municipal costs which have been estimated to have reached $1.5 million by mid-March. By the way, we are also paying for unused Camp David at the same time. Additionally, do we really need to spend $200,000/day on security at Trump Tower (so Baron Trump can attend a private school) impose excessive financial burdens on the city’s budget and put incredible stress on the surrounding neighborhood? Trump Tower security costs since inauguration total $2 million. Don’t we as taxpayers already provide them with free housing at the White House? And by the way, do we really need to pay for security as the Trump brothers travel the world to “do deals” that will benefit them and not the public. (In one documented trip to Uruguay to promote the Trump Organization, Eric Trump was accompanied by Secret Service personnel at a taxpayer cost of $60,000.) Furthermore, does Ivanka really need an unethical and illegal office in the West Wing of the White House so she can sell her line of shoes and jewelry? The Secret Service just requested an additional $60 million for Presidential security in 2018. What could those dollars do for education, health care, environmental protection?

If the Trump family wants to continue those activities it should be on their own dollar (they have enough, I think) and if they can’t afford such a lifestyle, what makes them think the taxpayer can? It is truly unconscionable that we are expected to pay more than $16 million monthly ($192 million/year) for excessive Trump family security.

In contrast, President Obama’s vacation security costs were approximately $85 million ($10.6 million/year) for the entire eight years of his Presidency.

I urge you to contact Rep. Mike Gallagher and Senators Ron Johnson and Tammy Baldwin and tell them: Enough!

Judy Brodd

Sister Bay, Wis.