Dems want details on Secret Service expenses during Trump’s trip to Scottish golf course

Three Democratic lawmakers on Wednesday penned a letter to the acting inspector general of the Department of Homeland Security demanding details on Secret Service expenses during President Trump’s trip to his golf course in Scotland last month.

The letter, signed by Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren (Mass.), Tom Carper (Del.) and Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-Md.), criticizes President Trump for spending July 14-15 at the Trump Turnberry golf course in Scotland during his presidential trip to Europe in July. 

“During his stay at Trump Turnberry, the President made no public appearances and played two rounds of golf,” the letter, addressed to Acting Inspector General John V. Kelly, reads. “Reporting thus far suggests that this cost American taxpayers over $68,000 for hotel rooms, phone lines, rental cars, and a ‘VIP visit.'” 

{mosads}

The letter then cites a Daily Mail article that suggested Trump’s golf trip to Scotland could have cost taxpayers over $1.2 million. 

The letter concludes with eight questions, most of which probe how much the Trump-owned golf course profited off of the president’s visit, how many Secret Service agents travelled with Trump, and how much the Secret Service spent on various amenities. 

“Before his disastrous summit with Putin, [Donald Trump] chose to use taxpayer dollars to stop off at his luxury Scottish golf resort – a wholly unnecessary stay that could cost Americans up to $1.2 million,” Carper tweeted with a copy of the letter.

Before his disastrous summit with Putin, @realDonaldTrump chose to use taxpayer dollars to stop off at his luxury Scottish golf resort – a wholly unnecessary stay that could cost Americans up to $1.2 million.

Today, @SenWarren, @RepCummings and I are asking for answers. pic.twitter.com/1BeWNa5ujb

— Senator Tom Carper (@SenatorCarper) August 1, 2018

This is not the first time the president has come under fire for his transportation and security costs. Documents released last month indicated that Trump’s two eldest sons racked up nearly $250,000 in Secret Service costs during two trips abroad last year. 

In November 2017, federal purchase orders obtained and reported on by USA Today indicated the Secret Service had  spent at least $144,975 on golf cart rentals alone since Trump took office. 

The Democrats asked Kelly to release the information “to ensure the sound stewardship of taxpayer dollars and better understand any instances of waste, fraud or abuse associated with the President’s stay in Scotland.”