Should US Taxpayers cover all costs for Trump's children if they are traveling for business?

SGT Ben Keen — Fri, 17 Feb 2017 12:31:43 -0500

So this is a spin off from a conversation with PO2 Robert M.. Should US tax dollars be used to provide protection to children of President Trump if they are traveling on official business for the Trump Company?

Secret Service is charged with their safety but they are doing deal all around the world.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Feb 17 at 2017 12:33 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Fri, 17 Feb 2017 12:33:28 -0500

They are targets in a world filled with bad actors. Consider the cost if one is taken and ransomed. Even if we don't negotiate with bad actors, there will be a cost and it will be high.

Response by LTC Trent Klug made Feb 17 at 2017 12:36 PM

LTC Trent Klug — Fri, 17 Feb 2017 12:36:49 -0500

I don't have a problem paying for protection for the children of the President, regardless of what kind of trip they are on. Should they be kidnapped or killed, it would have serious ramifications around the US and the world.

Funny, how the collective 'we' didn't have a problem with protecting the children of other presidents. But now we do because they are actually business men and women? That's just stupid.

Response by SrA Edward Vong made Feb 17 at 2017 12:37 PM

SrA Edward Vong — Fri, 17 Feb 2017 12:37:13 -0500

*Sigh*

This is a tough question, and as much as I don't like it, I think yes, as they are in charge or protecting Trump's children.

Response by SFC George Smith made Feb 17 at 2017 12:41 PM

SFC George Smith — Fri, 17 Feb 2017 12:41:20 -0500

actually No ... noting other than security... But BHO set the Precedence when the Taxpayers funded all the vacations Taken By Michelle BHO and her family and Friends... and they were paid as the First Ladies assistances and advisors...
even the Bush twins Funded their own vacations But the taxpayers paid for the Security...

Response by Col Joseph Lenertz made Feb 17 at 2017 12:44 PM

Col Joseph Lenertz — Fri, 17 Feb 2017 12:44:02 -0500

Yes. The fact that they are doing business is probably a net gain over the alternative, where they just take vacations everywhere...which is certainly within their financial means and would be covered by the US taxpayer without question.

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 17 at 2017 12:51 PM

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 17 Feb 2017 12:51:50 -0500

OB Played golf how many times where ?? Oh ya,,, All over the place.

Trump took the job without pay.
It is at his hotel which he probably is not charging full amount for.
With world leaders showing up there he can raise the rates on normal clients and they will pay just to say that they were on the same resort.
I have no problem with Trump, he is doing fine.

Response by Cpl Jeff N. made Feb 17 at 2017 1:07 PM

Cpl Jeff N. — Fri, 17 Feb 2017 13:07:25 -0500

This is a tough one for me. While I certainly think that having one of them killed or captured by someone would be a terrible blow to us I also think there is some obligation from their companies to protect them. If they are on company business can the company provide protection. They likely have in the past. They have a larger bulls eye on them now than previously though.

They are adults, not minors. They are employed by their companies (or run them) and are not on government business (there could be exceptions to this). These companies should have some security apparatus to protect them.

I would prefer to see some corporate security with liaison to the secret service. When out of the country their private security could be augmented with some SS agents etc.

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Feb 17 at 2017 1:19 PM

MSG Brad Sand — Fri, 17 Feb 2017 13:19:56 -0500

No, and they are not. Why else would the whole story about Ivanka be in the news if they were traveling on the government dime?
Yes, we do have to have Secret Service for the Presidents children...especially when one sees what people are saying but that is a different discussion.

Response by SN Greg Wright made Feb 17 at 2017 1:24 PM

SN Greg Wright — Fri, 17 Feb 2017 13:24:03 -0500

The costs of the travel? No. The costs of their SS details' travel and services? Absolutely.

Response by SMSgt Thor Merich made Feb 17 at 2017 1:35 PM

SMSgt Thor Merich — Fri, 17 Feb 2017 13:35:23 -0500

The short answer is "yes." It comes with the territory.
However, on a practical note, it may not cost as much as protecting the children of other presidents.

The Trumps will most likely have their own security which will be as good or better than the USSS. Having worked in the field, I know that many retired secret service, military (special ops), and law enforcement folks go into the executive protection business. Many times for much better pay than their previous government jobs. The USSS would probably augment what is already in place.

Response by SSgt Robert Jorgensen made Feb 17 at 2017 1:42 PM

SSgt Robert Jorgensen — Fri, 17 Feb 2017 13:42:11 -0500

We the USA have always provided it even if certain people took advantage of it and we the USA will continue to!

Response by SPC Erich Guenther made Feb 17 at 2017 2:01 PM

SPC Erich Guenther — Fri, 17 Feb 2017 14:01:24 -0500

Yes, Secret Service should protect the President's family no matter the cost.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 17 at 2017 2:16 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 17 Feb 2017 14:16:37 -0500

Previous families of presidents were covered, so it does not matter whether it is for vacation or business, or some other reason.

Response by SFC Dave Beran made Feb 17 at 2017 2:18 PM

SFC Dave Beran — Fri, 17 Feb 2017 14:18:21 -0500

Don't think the issue will ever come up. After all he is not accepting a salary. I doubt if he would use AF1 if it wasn't required for the safety and communication aspect.

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Feb 17 at 2017 2:52 PM

MCPO Roger Collins — Fri, 17 Feb 2017 14:52:11 -0500

This is fun, but here is how it's supposedly done. And as I noted before, if you have a problem with providing SS protection for a president's immediate family, change the law.

https://fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/RS21835.pdf

RS21835.pdf

Response by SGT David T. made Feb 17 at 2017 3:01 PM

SGT David T. — Fri, 17 Feb 2017 15:01:19 -0500

Presidents and their families are entitled to secret service protection. Look at it like this. What would happen if they didn't have protection and a hostile actor captured one? How much risk would our nation face if that happened? Sure, it is expensive but that is the cost of doing business.

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Feb 17 at 2017 3:32 PM

MCPO Roger Collins — Fri, 17 Feb 2017 15:32:16 -0500

And another thing. Note the annual cost associated with this. Approximately $10M and it is for the lifetime of the former POTUS and FLOTUS. Given their age, it could be more than costs for 4 or 8 of their terms.

Response by SSgt Boyd Herrst made Feb 17 at 2017 4:10 PM

SSgt Boyd Herrst — Fri, 17 Feb 2017 16:10:30 -0500

I wouldn't because think The President will do the right thing and not have to be reminded if he hauls some.. not a entourage like the Obamas.. the lamestream media will of course lie about it even if the facts are right in front of their sniveling faces..

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 17 at 2017 4:10 PM

Cpl Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 17 Feb 2017 16:10:34 -0500

I didn't realize how big his family was. To answer the question its the law so yes.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 17 at 2017 4:20 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 17 Feb 2017 16:20:00 -0500

did US tax dollars pay for Obama's kids on vacation, Clintons daughter, or any other presidents family why is this even questioned, whether it be business or official they are the family of the President of the United States, and are afforded protection

Response by GySgt Melissa Gravila made Feb 17 at 2017 5:03 PM

GySgt Melissa Gravila — Fri, 17 Feb 2017 17:03:04 -0500

Funny, did we have this conversation when the last 3 or 4 presidents were in office? We have a duty to protect the POTUS and his family- period, they aren't just the President's family from 9-5

Response by SGT Timothy Rocheleau made Feb 17 at 2017 5:41 PM

SGT Timothy Rocheleau — Fri, 17 Feb 2017 17:41:12 -0500

Here's an idea, how about if they are traveling for their own business they get a bill for it? Oh wait, aren't we still paying for Vhelsea Clinton to travel around for the Clinton foundation? Didn't we pay for Jenna Bush to go out and party with her SS detail? Enough already.

Response by SGT Timothy Rocheleau made Feb 17 at 2017 5:43 PM

SGT Timothy Rocheleau — Fri, 17 Feb 2017 17:43:08 -0500

Instead we should be asking questions like the following. 1.) why were tax payers paying for the Obama children to be cared for by their grand mother?
2.) Why are the American tax payers on the hook for a retirement of six figures for that same Obama grand mother?

Response by SPC Johnney Abbott made Feb 17 at 2017 7:10 PM

SPC Johnney Abbott — Fri, 17 Feb 2017 19:10:06 -0500

The trump dynasty has more money than they can spend in five generations. They can afford to buy the very best security money can buy.

Response by SMSgt Terry Rider made Feb 17 at 2017 10:25 PM

SMSgt Terry Rider — Fri, 17 Feb 2017 22:25:50 -0500

NO!

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 18 at 2017 5:39 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 18 Feb 2017 05:39:06 -0500

They're the First Family, we cover their protection. It's going to be a difficult task for the Secret Service and for any military or law enforcement assets attached to assist, but we'll do it. It's not your "traditional" First Family but if it's the mission then we execute.

Travel expenses should be on them for business or vacation, but some of that will carry over to the taxpayer with the need for protection.

Response by PO1 Brian Austin made Feb 18 at 2017 1:54 PM

PO1 Brian Austin — Sat, 18 Feb 2017 13:54:41 -0500

They should pay their own travel expenses. The SS detail would be on taxpayers dime, like with any other Presidential family.

Response by LtCol Robert Quinter made Feb 18 at 2017 2:59 PM

LtCol Robert Quinter — Sat, 18 Feb 2017 14:59:49 -0500

Our government has spent many dollars protecting the families of all persons serving as civilians or in uniform. Why should the Trump family be any different?