The Secret Service says it needs $60 million more this year to protect President Trump and his family, including $26.8 million just to protect Trump Tower in New York City, according to a new report.
The Washington Post reported Wednesday Trump’s large family presents an unexpected challenge for the agency tasked with keeping them safe.
One of the major issues is the distance separating family members. While Trump is in Washington, D.C. much of the week, he frequently spends weekends at Mar-a-Lago in Florida. At the same time, his wife, Melania, and son, Barron, live at Trump Tower in New York City.
Simultaneously, Trump’s other children who are representing his business travel all over the world and require Secret Service agents to be with them while they’re on the road.
The Office of Management and Budget reportedly denied the extra funding request, according to the Post. The report indicates that means the Secret Service will need to cut in other areas in order to protect the first family.
Some of the costs may be lowered in a few months when Melania and Barron Trump are expected to move into the White House. Trump’s wife and son decided to stay in New York while he finished up the school year.
As a part of the $60 million request, the Secret Service asked for $33 million to spend on travel costs for the president, Vice President Mike Pence and other visiting heads of state.
