Air Force orders review of overnight stays at Trump resort

The Air Force is ordering a review of its overnight stay location selection process after revelations that air crews had occasionally stayed at President Trump’s Scotland resort while refueling, Politico reported Sunday.

The news outlet had reported Friday that a C-17 crew stayed overnight at Trump’s Turnberry resort in Scotland in September.

Air Force Brig. Gen. Ed Thomas told Politico that “initial reviews indicate that aircrew transiting through Scotland adhered to all guidance and procedures.”

{mosads}He acknowledged that “lodging at higher-end accommodations, even if within government rates, might be allowable but not advisable. Therefore, we are reviewing all associated guidance.”

“Even when USAF aircrews follow all directives and guidance, we must still be considerate of perceptions of not being good stewards of taxpayer funds that might be created through the appearance of aircrew staying at such locations,” Thomas added.

The deputy commander of the Air Mobility Command, which oversees all Air Force transportation worldwide, told Politico that the review is intended to make sure that personnel are following all the rules but also to check whether staying at the president’s property is appropriate.

“What the chief is getting at is just because you can, we should also be asking ourselves the question about should,” said Lt. Gen. Jon Thomas.

“And the question there is, as our crews are following all guidance and directives we also have to be sensitive to the possible perceptions that might be created on where they may stay.”

The Hill has reached out to the Air Force.

The review of Air Force overnight accommodation practices comes amid growing scrutiny over government personnel spending taxpayer dollars at Trump properties.

The president’s proposal to host the next Group of Seven summit at his Doral resort in Florida and Vice President Pence’s stay at Trump’s golf resort in Doonbeg, Ireland, which was nearly 200 miles away from official meetings in Dublin, both raised concern.

Democrats on the House Judiciary and Oversight and Reform committees announced Friday that they had sent letters requesting documents about efforts to promote spending taxpayer funds at Trump’s properties.