Eric and Lara Trump were perfectly well-protected while out for a walk in Manhattan on Friday.
The Trumps, who are expecting their first child in September, were accompanied by six Secret Service agents for their outing.
The size of their entourage has not changed since it was revealed earlier this week that the protective detail agency is running out of money and unable to pay many of its employees.
Strollin’: Lara and Eric Trump were seen walking around New York City on Friday
Away they go! The pair did some shopping before heading home to pick up their dogs and drive to Westchester
Dressed down: Lara wore a long-sleeve tee and white jeans with loafers
Relaxed: She seemed comfortable at nine months pregnant
The couple was caught by photographers doing some shopping in Manhattan, walking down 5th Avenue with what appeared to be a baby gift in tow. They then nipped back home to grab their dogs and take a car north of the city, likely to their home in Westchester.
Lara, who is nine months pregnant, wore a pair of distressed white jeans, a striped long-sleeve tee, and white loafers, leaving behind the supportive ankle wrap she was seen wearing earlier this week.
Meanwhile, Eric wore slacks and a blue button-down, as well as a matching pair of dark loafers.
The Trumps were followed by three Secret Service agents on foot, plus another three driving nearby in cars.
The large entourage was, as usual, made up of plainclothes officers — some of whom may not be receiving a paycheck this month.
Protection: The Trumps were followed by three Secret Service agents on foot and another three in cars
Cash-strapped: They walked with a large entourage despite recent reports that the agency is unable to pay its agents and is running out of money
Money money money: The large Trump family requires a lot of man-power and overtime to protect, more so than previous first families
Secret Service agents travel with Eric on business trips and also accompanied Ivanka and Jared on vacation
Pricey: The Secret Service also has to pay its own way, even when its agents are staying at Trump properties — meaning the agency pays for its officers’ rooms at Mar-a-Lago
Under Trump, the Secret Service’s workforce is stretched, with 1,000 agents already hitting their federally-mandated salary caps for 2017, only seven months into the administration
This week, Secret Service Director Randolph ‘Tex’ Alles told USA Today that the agency is over-stretched, and warned that 1,000 of his agents — about one-third of the workforce — have already hit their federally-mandated salary caps in 2017.
‘We have them working all night long; we’re sending them on the road all the time,’ Alles said. ‘There are no quick fixes, but over the long term, I’ve got to give them a better balance here.
‘The president has a large family, and our responsibility is required in law,’ Alles went on. ‘I can’t change that. I have no flexibility.’
Under Trump, agents have 42 protectees, which include 18 members of Trump’s family. And the problem isn’t just more people (compared to Obama’s 31) — it’s also that members of the family have done extensive traveling so far this year.
Off the road: At the advice of her doctor, Lara has stopped traveling until her due date
Posed: Lara has been updating followers with pictures of her baby bump, like this one by Dawn Sela Photography
Growing family: Lara and Eric, pictured in July, are expecting their first child together in September
They had to follow first daughter Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared Kushner, on vacation, including their ski trip to Aspen.
The Secret Service also has to pay its own way, even when its agents are staying at Trump properties — meaning the agency pays for its officers’ rooms at Mar-a-Lago.
Tiffany Trump also had agents with her when she took vacations to Germany and Hungary with her boyfriend, Ross Mechanic, as well as when she was in Italy with her mother, Marla Maples.
A detail has followed Eric Trump while he conducts Trump Organization business to destinations including Uruguay — where the Secret Service spent $100,000 just on hotel rooms — along with the United Kingdom, the Dominican Republic, Canada and the United Arab Emirates, all in 2017.
That detail has also been with Lara, offering protection and — as was the case earlier this month — revealing details of her birth plan to the public.
Mom-to-be on the move! Lara showed off her growing baby bump in a black tank dress earlier this month
Accessories: Lara had a large red bag slung over her right shoulder and bangles on her wrist
Whoops! Lara’ secret birth plan became very public after it was accidentally left on the dashboard of a black SUV parked outside of Trump Tower
Final days: Earlier this month, Lara’s sister-in-law Ivanka Trump took a photo of the mom-to-be cradling her baby bump during her last visit to the White House before she is set to give birth
On August 14, Lara was spotted walking around New York in a fitted black dress and a pair of black flats from her sister-in-law Ivanka Trump’s fashion line.
While she made her way inside Trump Tower, her secret birth plan became very public after it was accidentally left on the dashboard of a black SUV parked outside the building.
The handwritten note, titled ‘Baby hospital info’, revealsed exactly which New York hospital the first-time mother is is planning to give birth at next month, as well as the address of the emergency entrance and the phone number for security.
It also lists the name of a contact who is to be called ‘ASAP’ after Lara goes into labor.
The note was spotted on the dashboard of Secret Service vehicle parked outside Trump Tower on Monday as it appears an agent may have left it in full view by mistake.