Trump Kids Visit Aspen, 100 Secret Service Agents In Tow

By Jeralyn, Section Trump Administration
Posted on Mon Mar 20, 2017 at 08:48:00 AM EST
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There were anti-Trump protests in Aspen today where the Trump siblings and their children, along with their Secret Service entourage, are visiting for a family holiday.

The Aspen Times reports Donald Trump's adult children are visiting Aspen (with their 8 children) this weekend, along with their Secret Service Agent entourage, which are estimated to include 100 agents.

Props to Pitkin County Sheriff Joe DiSalvo who says his agency will not be providing security for the Trump kids' vacation:

the U.S. Secret Service has not contacted him about the visit, DiSalvo said. Regardless, he said he would not offer his department’s aid for their visit.

“We’re doing absolutely nothing,” DiSalvo said of assisting the Secret Service. “Our responsibility is to the president and the first lady, not friends or family members.”

The Secret Service signed a contract with the Aspen Valley Ski and Snowboard Club (which teaches local young children to ski) for $12, 208.25, but it looks like they fudged on what it was for: The contract says rental ski equipment and clothing, but the club doesn't rent ski equipment. And the Club's director says he doesn't know anything about the contract. And, get this, the contract had a phony phone and fax number. [More...]

The were flown into the Eagle County airport (on Air Force One according to the Sheriff) and then were driven to Aspen.

In February, the Vail Daily reported that Air Force One, the Boeing 575 that flies the president, landed at the Eagle County Regional Airport. The facility’s manager told the paper that U.S. Air Force pilots were training for future VIP visits at high altitude.

DiSalvo said that plane is expected to carry the president’s family to Eagle.

Trump's son Donald boasted about taking "Trump" Force 1 (not Air Force 1, corrected) to Aspen and posted a video of his takeoff from LaGuardia on his Instagram account.

NBC reported this week on the Secret Service hotel bills for Trump's kids' non-governmental travel:

Federal documents examined by NBC News outline hotel bills for the U.S. Secret Service and State Department coinciding with other out-of-town visits by Trump's sons and daughters, including:

$53,155.25 during Donald Trump Jr., Eric Trump and Tiffany Trump's business trip to Vancouver in late February. (For the opening of the hotel with their name in Vancouver.)
$16,738.36 during Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump's business trip to Dubai in mid-February. (For the grand opening of the golf course that has their name.)
$97,830 for Eric Trump's business trip to Uruguay in early January. [a Trump Org. promotional trip.)
In addition, the records show the Secret Service spent $4,0162.02 on rental vehicles in the Dominican Republic on Jan. 29, just ahead of Eric Trump's business visit to Cap Cana (site of a previously abandoned project that ended in lawsuits but now may be resurrected.)

The public is already fuming at the cost of his weekend jaunts to his home in Palm Beach.

As for the cost of Air Force One trips:

CBS reports that Air Force One costs $180,000 hourly to operate. Each trip to Florida, one way, costs more than $700,000.

Here's another estimate of how much Trump trips are costing. And he had the gall in 2012 to criticize the cost of Obama's travel.

New York City wants to be reimbursed for $25 million it spent on Trump security between the election and inauguration ($308,000 a day.) Palm Beach now wants reimbursement as well. (It's also threatening to raise taxes if it does not get reimbursed, saying it spends $60,000 in overtime every day Trump spends there. This weekend is his 7th trip to Palm Beach. No link to CNN due to autoplay video.)

Donald Trump and his family are bleeding the American public dry.

< Congress Should Reject Trump's $33 Billion Supplemental Budget Request | ICE Releases "Declined Detainer" Report >

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Trump Kids Visit Aspen, 100 Secret Service Agents In Tow | 38 comments (38 topical)

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I know Trump is not popular on TL, but (5.00 / 1) (#3)
by Green26 on Mon Mar 20, 2017 at 12:54:28 AM EST

what's the proposal or solution for the family going to Aspen? Just curious?

Adult kids saying they don't want secret service protection? Can they do that? Don't know.

they are walking around (5.00 / 3) (#13)
by Jeralyn on Mon Mar 20, 2017 at 12:38:13 PM EST

Since no other adult president's kids have had secret service protection, and they are walking around Aspen shopping and eating at restaurants, yes, I think they should have used it only until they were on the plane in LGA. They should have used their own personal bodyguards greet them when they got off the plane in Eagle and while in Aspen.

Many celebrities bring their bodyguards when visiting Aspen -- Mariah Carey, the Kardashians, etc. Trump retained his private security force after the election -- his kids should use it for their own personal and business trips. Just my opinion.


I don't think these adult offspring can be (5.00 / 1) (#21)
by Peter G on Mon Mar 20, 2017 at 05:36:16 PM EST

fairly described as "kids" at all, except perhaps Tiffany.


and she's 23 (5.00 / 1) (#22)
by Jeralyn on Mon Mar 20, 2017 at 07:40:37 PM EST

also not a kid.


How old was "The TL Kid" when you (none / 0) (#24)
by Peter G on Mon Mar 20, 2017 at 08:50:40 PM EST

stopped using that moniker?


: And, furthermore, whatever became of (none / 0) (#26)
by oculus on Tue Mar 21, 2017 at 12:51:05 AM EST

the former "TL Kid"?

Trumps are the first adult (none / 0) (#5)
by caseyOR on Mon Mar 20, 2017 at 01:38:44 AM EST

children of a president who have used Secret Service protection. All others have declined.


Can you provide some examples of adult child (none / 0) (#10)
by Green26 on Mon Mar 20, 2017 at 12:30:03 PM EST

declining? Can't recall who had adult children. The senior Bush. Ron Reagan declined protection during his dad's second term.

This article doesn't seem to support what you said above.

Article.


Oops, wrong link. Sorry (5.00 / 1) (#14)
by Green26 on Mon Mar 20, 2017 at 12:45:47 PM EST

Correct link.


i feel it's best (none / 0) (#23)
by linea on Mon Mar 20, 2017 at 08:07:09 PM EST

for ivanka to have s.s. protection considering the fact that she's had stalkers even prior to her father running for president and i expect the situation is now worse. if tiffany feels she needs s.s. protection then she should have it too.

the adult sons have a right to s.s. protection but i have no idea whether they actually need it. i wonder whether, for the adult sons, s.s. protection should be limited to within the u.s. borders.

i do agree with this consideration in the article you linked to:

There's also the mixed message sent when Donald Jr. and Eric Trump travel to make international business deals flanked by serious-looking dudes with earpieces and lapel pins.
"It could appear as though the trip is somehow sanctioned by the U.S. government or that the kids are there acting as emissaries of the president," says Fischer. "The fact that the Secret Service is present and providing security detail further contributes to the appearance that the Trump Organization is intertwined with the presidency of the United States."

Why should the US taxpayers (5.00 / 3) (#35)
by Chuck0 on Wed Mar 22, 2017 at 11:07:20 AM EST

be paying for security for the Trump adult offspring to travel the globe making business deals for their PRIVATE company? Trumps should be paying for Trump security when traveling to benefit the Trump Organization.


Don't know but here are some thoughts (none / 0) (#36)
by Green26 on Wed Mar 22, 2017 at 01:20:11 PM EST

US law apparently provides for it.
The children of presidents, whether adults or not, could be harmed, killed or kidnapped, and that would impact the president and the US.
Travel abroad would seem to be more risky than going to Aspen.
My wife and I had a kid die, and I can tell you that it was, and is, awful.

: Gee...if only Obama (5.00 / 1) (#37)
by Militarytracy on Wed Mar 22, 2017 at 01:47:08 PM EST

Would have billed the taxpayers for what the law allowed for.
I read so much $hit and h*ll and garbage from your ilk over an Obama golf game and Martha's Vineyard. Just bite me!!!!!

: You are missing the point (5.00 / 1) (#40)
by Chuck0 on Thu Mar 23, 2017 at 11:56:53 AM EST

that they are traveling to conduct PRIVATE business. They are not traveling to say, Uruguay, on behalf of the US taxpayers who are footing their security bill. If they are traveling on my behalf, fine, provide them security. But if they are traveling to enrich themselves and fill the bank accounts, they should be paying for their own security. I'm not saying they don't need the security, I'm saying you and I should not be paying for it. Not when their are traveling for personal financial gain.

: Condolences on your loss (none / 0) (#38)
by vicndabx on Wed Mar 22, 2017 at 03:29:25 PM EST

While spending last week in Aspen (5.00 / 1) (#34)
by fishcamp on Wed Mar 22, 2017 at 10:33:11 AM EST

I dropped in to speak with my friend Sheriff Joe DiSalvo. He was adamant that the Pitkin County's Sheriff's office was not going to provide security for the Trump kids planned vacation. His primary reason was it is not his responsibility. Secondly the sheriff''s office has been stiffed many times in the past for several Presidential visits, when he did provide security. Pitkin County is neither large nor wealthy. Granted there are many millionaires and billionaires living in and around Aspen, but they didn't become wealthy by financially helping with security for anybody but themselves. He did mention the county was promptly paid for assisting with Michele Obama's vacation. He also reported the county is still trying to collect for President Clinton's several fund raising visits to Aspen.

: Why does the last bit... (5.00 / 1) (#39)
by kdog on Wed Mar 22, 2017 at 03:38:04 PM EST

not surprise me lol;)
Maybe they could add a security surcharge to the fundraisers and settle that bill at the conclusion of the dinner banquet...10,000 a plate plus 3% Security Surcharge or something. Ticketmaster can do it, why not the hosts of Beggars Banquets? Just an idea.
Glad you had a good trip FC...and that you're back to catching your dinner safe and sound.

They were not on Air Force 1. (none / 0) (#1)
by caseyOR on Mon Mar 20, 2017 at 12:08:29 AM EST

Regardless of what Donald Jr. said, AF 1 flies the President. Now, they may well have been on the backup plane. And that plane is expensive to fly. But, the designation Air Force 1 is assigned to the plane only if the President is flying.

So, AF 1 is in Florida with President Trump this weekend, as it is nearly every weekend.

There are two (none / 0) (#2)
by Jeralyn on Mon Mar 20, 2017 at 12:18:27 AM EST

Air Force Ones. From the White House website on Air Force One:

Today, this name refers to one of two highly customized Boeing 747-200B series aircraft, which carry the tail codes 28000 and 29000. The Air Force designation for the aircraft is VC-25A.

Both planes accompany the president, Jeralyn. (none / 0) (#4)
by Donald from Hawaii on Mon Mar 20, 2017 at 01:13:15 AM EST

When Trump flies into West Palm Beach on Air Force One, the other plane will be flown to a nearby airport (such as Ft. Lauderdale) for backup purposes, in case of a mechanical problem, etc.

Every year when the Obama family spent Christmas on the island of Oahu, the AF1 backup would be flown over here to Hilo, where it would remain parked near the airport's main terminal for the entire time.

Aloha.


It was "Trump Force One" (none / 0) (#7)
by Jeralyn on Mon Mar 20, 2017 at 12:14:15 PM EST

his son posted a video of taking off from LaGuardia, not Air Force One. I corrected the post. I'm not sure a 747 could land at Eagle County, so maybe he took a Trump 757.


Sorry, your analysis is very poor and incorrect (none / 0) (#8)
by jimakaPPJ on Mon Mar 20, 2017 at 12:22:01 PM EST

and I am not in your classroom. And for that I am very thankful.

The clear intent of CaseyOR's was to paint a negative picture of the Secret Service protecting Trump's adult children.

That's okay. I mean, in the interest of fairness a counter punch is needed for this:

In total, the cost of the the first family's personal or largely personal travel during the last eight years comes to $85 million - though that is likely to climb to $90 million after additional records are released, according to the conservative group Judicial Watch based on federal government records.

And, speaking of Aspen:

In February, Michelle Obama took a weekend trip to Aspen, Colorado that cost taxpayers a pretty penny; $57,068.80 in travel expenses alone for the 7.4 hour-round trip flight, according to U.S.Air Force records.
As we previously reported, this Aspen trip occurred in tandem with President Obama's trip to California to play golf, speak at a cyber-security summit, and headline a fundraiser for the Democratic National Committee.

All in all I agree with Judaical Watch:

The cost of Air Force One and other government planes as well as helicopters, cargo planes, armored cars, Secret Service protection and advance, communications and medical staff has led Judicial Watch to push for less personal travel.
"The Secret Service and the Air Force are being abused by unnecessary travel," Judicial Watch president Tom Fitton said. "Unnecessary presidential travel for fundraising and luxury vacations on the taxpayers' dime would be a good target for reform for the incoming Trump administration."

In many respects we have blown past the so called "Imperial Presidency." Congress should act to restrain. We're broke and 22 Trillion or so in debt.

We couldn't afford Obama and family trips and we can't afford Trump's children's trips.

I hope Judicial Watch pushes Trump on this.


You are comparing apples to oranges (5.00 / 2) (#12)
by Chuck0 on Mon Mar 20, 2017 at 12:35:23 PM EST

as is your usual tactic. Michelle Obama was the First Lady of the United States. The President's wife. She should have all the necessary protections when she travel. This trip is about adult children of a President. Not the same thing.


: The question is not IF (none / 0) (#15)
by jimakaPPJ on Mon Mar 20, 2017 at 01:02:43 PM EST

they need protection when they travel. Obviously the families do.
The question is why travel if the taxpayer is picking up the tab.
Obviously the Trump children could have done without a ski vacation. Obviously so could Michelle and his daughters.
And finding "reasons" for trips to prime vacation spots is almost a cottage industry by government and private industry.

The above was in response to Towanda's (none / 0) (#11)
by jimakaPPJ on Mon Mar 20, 2017 at 12:32:16 PM EST

: Towanda's . . . what? (none / 0) (#18)
by Towanda on Mon Mar 20, 2017 at 03:19:34 PM EST

Isn't this myfirst post on this thread?
We now have confirmation that you see things that aren't there.

You're probably correct about Eagle County. (none / 0) (#17)
by Donald from Hawaii on Mon Mar 20, 2017 at 01:47:06 PM EST

A B-747 is too big to land there. While the 9,000-ft. runway is certainly long enough, the surrounding terrain is such that it would test that plane's limits and its pilot's utmost skills. 747s are generally not that nimble.

I flew into Eagle once many years ago on a United Airlines B-727, and I clearly remember it being a somewhat daunting and bumpy approach into the valley and a hard landing, with lots of wind gusts buffeting the plane. United and American Airlines currently fly B-757s into Eagle during the ski season.

The U.S. Air Force maintains a fleet of B-757s for use by the vice president and cabinet officials. I doubt that protocols would allow for one to be made available for Trump's elder children for a family outing (although please don't hold me to that), so it was likely a family plane.

comment deleted (none / 0) (#6)
by Jeralyn on Mon Mar 20, 2017 at 12:09:31 PM EST

no one here has expressed "hatred" for any child of Donald Trump. Commenter is warned.

I did not say "here" (none / 0) (#9)
by jimakaPPJ on Mon Mar 20, 2017 at 12:28:04 PM EST

I was referring to what anyone saw on national media news, commentary programs and social media.

Also, I was not specific to the children.


: I don't think (none / 0) (#16)
by Ga6thDem on Mon Mar 20, 2017 at 01:17:59 PM EST

she was talking about you Jim.

Could someone please list the adult kids of (none / 0) (#25)
by Green26 on Tue Mar 21, 2017 at 12:41:44 AM EST

presidents who declined secret service security. I read that Ron Reagan decline in his dad's second term. Who else?

Don't know (5.00 / 3) (#27)
by Yman on Tue Mar 21, 2017 at 08:13:48 AM EST

But here ya go.


Excellent (none / 0) (#28)
by Militarytracy on Tue Mar 21, 2017 at 08:45:48 AM EST

I have previously googled several times (none / 0) (#31)
by Green26 on Tue Mar 21, 2017 at 07:42:58 PM EST

The only one I found is Ron Regan in his dad's second term.

Those of you saying that no other adult children have accepted secret service security in the past needs to do your own homework to back up your statements and provide your support. I don't know the facts, but I do know that the statement that all adult children declined secret service security in the past is wrong.


"Those of you"? (none / 0) (#32)
by Yman on Tue Mar 21, 2017 at 08:13:47 PM EST

First of all, it was one person. Secondly, after you received no reply from that person, you felt the need ask everyone else to provide you with whatever information you wanted to back up your claim. Then, after failing to do your homework and find the facts that you want to back up your argument, you chastise others do their homework" and support their arguments.

The only issue is whether you're trying to be funny.


: yman, stop the personal (none / 0) (#33)
by Jeralyn on Tue Mar 21, 2017 at 08:26:37 PM EST

snide attacks. Be cordial in your disagreement or stop posting.

this article (none / 0) (#29)
by linea on Tue Mar 21, 2017 at 09:05:16 AM EST

seems to say the opposite.

if i'm reading this correctly, the two bush daughters and chelsea had s.s. protection as adults and also their s.s. protection was extended beyond president bush's and president clinton's term of office.

Bush Daughters Kept Secret Service Protection

Four days before leaving office, President Bush signed a directive authorizing the Secret Service to provide a period of extended protection for his daughters Jenna and Barbara.
...
Under the law, the adult children of an American President lose their Secret Service protection when their father leaves office.
But following the lead of Bill Clinton, who authorized an extended period of coverage for daughter Chelsea, Mr. Bush made the same provision for his daughters. He signed a presidential directive on January 16, 2009. The Secret Service requested that the length of the additional protection not be disclosed.

: I don't know (none / 0) (#30)
by Ga6thDem on Tue Mar 21, 2017 at 09:07:10 AM EST

about Bush but I know that Bill extended it for Chelsea until she finished college.