Lance Says His District Needs Federal Aid to Protect Trump, President-elect’s N.J. Retreat

Leonard Lance
Leonard Lance

Most U.S. Presidents split their time between the White House, Camp David, and maybe a third private residence (e.g. Dubya’s ranch or his father’s Maine home).

President-elect Trump’s billionaire status complicates matters a bit for the security organizations – and taxpayers – attempting to protect his many regular haunts including Trump Tower, Mar-A-Lago and the Trump National Golf Course in Bedminster, New Jersey.

Bedminster is inside the 7th District, represented by Leonard Lance (R), and the Congressman is asking the United States Department of Justice for additional federal assistance to cover the extraordinary cost of protecting a president and those around him.

“New Jersey once again will be a crossroads for American history, and the Trump Administration has indicated Trump National will continue to be a meeting place for foreign leaders, elected representatives and other officials.  Local law enforcement has provided the Secret Service with assistance in protecting the President-elect and should its assistance be required any time President Trump visits in the future, it could be a considerable financial burden for Bedminster Township, Somerset County and the State of New Jersey,” Lance said in a Thursday afternoon statement.  “It is my understanding that law enforcement in Hawaii and the City of Chicago received grants from the Department of Justice to assist with the protection of President Obama and I am requesting that similar grants be made available to several jurisdictions in New Jersey.”

Bedminster Township estimates overtime costs of more than $12,000 a day whenever Trump is visiting.

Text of Rep. Lance’s letter to the Attorney General is copied below:

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December 22, 2016

The Honorable Loretta Lynch

Attorney General of the United States

U.S. Department of Justice
950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20530-0001

Dear Attorney General Lynch:

            As the Representative for Bedminster, New Jersey, which is home to Trump National Golf Course, I am respectfully requesting your office’s assistance in securing grants and funding opportunities available to state and local law enforcement for assisting the Secret Service with the protection of President Trump after he is inaugurated, including but not limited to the extra funds appropriated to Byrne JAG in the recent Continuing Resolution.

Since his election, President-elect Trump has spent a considerable amount of time at Trump National, as he intends to do after his inauguration.  Local law enforcement has provided the Secret Service with assistance protecting the President-elect.  Attached is a breakdown of the cost to Bedminster Township during the President-elect’s recent visits to Trump National.  Bedminster has also provided an estimate of future costs, beyond January 20, 2017.  Should local assistance be required in the future, it could be a considerable financial burden for Bedminster Township, Somerset County and the State of New Jersey.  It is my understanding that law enforcement in Hawaii and the City of Chicago received grants from the Department of Justice to assist with the protection of President Obama and I am requesting that similar grants be made available to several jurisdictions in New Jersey, including but not limited to the Bedminster Township Police Department, the Somerset County Sheriff’s Department, the New Jersey State Police and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police.

I respectfully respect that DOJ officials let our office know when funding opportunities become available.  The contact person in my office is Michael Taggart at 202-225-5361 or michael.taggart@mail.house.gov.

            Thank you very much for your consideration of this request.  Best personal wishes.

Sincerely,

Leonard Lance

Member of Congress

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