Secret Service Funds Depleted by Trump’s Large Family, Constant Travel

Secret Service director tells USA Today that it can’t afford to protect the president

donald trump
Getty Images

The Secret Service is running out of cash because of President Trump’s large family and frequent trips to his properties, according to USA Today.

The paper reported on Monday that the Secret Service “can no longer afford to pay hundreds of agents it needs to carry out an expanded protective mission.” Shortly after the report was published, the term “Secret Service” became a top trend across social media.

Secret Service Director Randolph “Tex” Alles told the paper that over 1,000 agents have already hit federally mediated overtime caps because they must protect Trump and his adult children who are regularly on the move.

“The president has a large family, and our responsibility is required in law,” Alles told the paper. “I can’t change that. I have no flexibility.”

Trump often travels to his homes in New Jersey and Florida, while his children have been all over the map for both business and pleasure, including trips to Uruguay and Aspen, Colorado. The secret service is responsible for protecting 42 people, including 18 members of the president’s family. The Secret Service protected 31 people during the Obama administration, according to the paper.

The Secret Service has started negotiating larger salaries and more overtime for agents, but Alles told the paper it probably won’t happen “in the near term.”

“It is clear that the Secret Service’s demands will continue to be higher than ever throughout the Trump administration,” Maryland Rep. Elijah Cummings’ spokeswoman said.

Comments