Top Democrats demand security assessment of Trump properties

Three top Democratic senators are raising concerns about security protocols at President Trump’s properties, which he visits regularly throughout the year.

Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Mark Warner (D-Va.) in a letter to the head of the Secret Service requested an assessment of whether additional security measures — such as background checks for visitors — should be implemented at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago club in Florida or his Bedminster golf club in New Jersey.{mosads}

“We understand that while the Secret Service remains committed to its mission of ensuring the safety of our nation’s highest elected leaders, securing Mar-a-Lago has presented heightened security and budgetary challenges due to the semi-public nature of what remains the President’s private business,” the senators wrote to Secret Service Director James Murray.

The senators cited an incident earlier this year in which a Chinese woman was arrested after trying to enter Mar-a-Lago with malware. 

The woman, Yujing Zhang, was granted access to the property because resort officials assumed she was related to a club member.

“We were troubled to learn that Mar-a-Lago employees—and not the Secret Service—determine who is granted access to the property, where secure areas are established for handling classified information during the President’s frequent visits,” the senators wrote.

“Additionally, because the property is not considered a permanently protected facility like the White House, the Secret Service does not maintain visitor logs and has a substantially reduced physical security presence on days when the President is not present.”

Trump is expected to spend this weekend at his Bedminster property in New Jersey. The president typically spends several weekends there during the summer months, and frequents Mar-a-Lago throughout the winter months.

While at his properties, the president generally golfs and holds fundraisers and events with supporters.

He has previously hosted world leaders, such as Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, at Mar-a-Lago.