Readers sound off: Have Trump pay for his family's security himself
The Secret Service can no longer pay hundreds of agents it needs to carry out a protective mission that has expanded because of the size of President Trump’s family and efforts necessary to secure multiple residences. Comments are edited for clarity and grammar:
How much of that money is going into Trump’s pockets? Do Trump properties overcharge the Secret Service for the rooms they use?
— Susan Gessford
The Secret Service has the money to pay its agents, but they’ll be taking a pay cut.
However, there is one other option. When I worked 80 hours a week but knew I would only get paid for 40, I simply chose to add 40 hours to my earned vacation. That might leave Trump with no security for a week, but that was his choice, wasn’t it?
— Bill Boyd
I keep telling people, Trump is spending more than President Obama ever did. Numbers don’t lie.
— Mike Bigalow
For a president who chastised Obama for his excessive leave of the White House, and for a president that made numerous promises who he would stay on the job, Trump continues to win first place for misleading the public.
Maybe Trump can help by keeping his promise. That should save a bundle.
— ChasHue Won
Can’t wait to hear the justication from Republicans for this waste. Can you imagine if this was a Democrat?
— Scott Bennett
There’s a simple solution: Since Trump has blown through his budget, give the Secret Service the rest of the year off.
— William Travis
And this is the same dude who ripped Obama for his golf trips. Trump’s supposedly a billionaire and he’s not taking his presidential salary, so he should pay for his entourage’s security over and above what the Secret Service is obligated to provide. If Trump wants to take his crew out to the links to watch him flail around on the golf course, he should pay for it himself.
— Pierre Wheaton
Our followers shared their thoughts on USA TODAY’s report showing President Trump’s travels and family are depleting the Secret Service’s funds for agents. Tweets are edited for clarity and grammar:
So much money down the toilet. Yet Trump doesn’t want to invest in health care. Says a lot about the president and his selfishness.
— @waltkirspel
I blame travel-happy Barack Obama for the lack of funds. By the way, Trump can pay the agents himself. It’s really no big deal.
— @ISU_judy81
This must be fixed! Secret Service agents put their lives on the line every day, and they aren’t getting paid for their hours? This is absurd and un-American.
— @JHunter65284456
Money well spent. Make America great again!
— @Sojourn02248520
Where is the Tea Party to protest this?
— @SonyainTX1
To join the conversations about topics in USA TODAY, email letters@usatoday.com, comment on Facebook or use #tellusatoday on Twitter.