Costs are mounting for patrolling the skies and waterways when President Trump visits Mar-a-Lago, with the price tag now reaching $20 million.
Each trip to the luxury resort and golf club dings taxpayers for an additional $1 million, USA Today reported upon reviewing government documents.
Coast Guard vessels patrol the Atlantic and the Intracoastal waterway each time Trump visits West Palm Beach.
The guard relies on 29-foot rubber boats, an 87-foot patrol vessel armed with a 50-caliber machine gun, plus a rescue helicopter overhead.
The costs of protecting President Trump during trips to Mar-a-Lago have reached $20 million
The costs for the helicopter run $8,000, according to the report. Trump has been there 16 times since he was inaugurated.
The helicopter logged 920 flight hours over 11 trips, for a cost of $7.3 million.
The cost of protecting Trump puts a dent in the Coast Guard’s $10 billion annual budget.
Last year, Vice Adm. Charles Ray, deputy commandant for operations, complained at a conference in Maryland: “We’re not keeping up with the rate of inflation. That’s the biggest challenge we’ve got,’ he said, Military Times reported.
The Office of Management and Budget had proposed a $1.3 trillion budget cut for the Coast Guard for fiscal 2018. It faced a $914 million shortfall after assisting the response to three hurricanes.
The guard relies on 29-foot rubber boats, an 87-foot patrol vessel armed with a 50-caliber machine gun, plus a rescue helicopter overhead
President Donald Trump holds the flag of the United States Coast Guard while speaking to service members of the Coast Guard during an invitation to play golf at Trump International Golf Course in Mar-a-Lago, Florida on December 29, 2017. The President invited members of the Coast Guard to play golf to thank them personally for their service of patrolling the waters near Palm Beach and Mar-a-Lago
Watchdog groups have urged Trump to make greater use of the presidential treat at Camp David in Maryland, where the costs of protecting the president and his guests or family members run considerably lower.
The Trump Organization doubled admission to the club at Mar-a-Lago to $200,000 following Trump’s election.
Outside ethics groups have criticized his use of the club, claiming members can essentially buy access, given Trump’s propensity to show up at the occasional wedding or hobnob with guests.
He also makes frequent use of his nearby golf course.
Nevertheless, revenue for Mar-a-Lago dropped year-over-year, based on Trumps financial disclosure report released last month.
Trump gave a ‘thank you’ to Coast Guard members at the end of 2017, inviting those who patrolled the waters to play golf to thank them personally for their service of patrolling.