- Secretary Steven Mnuchin requested to use a US Air Force jet on honeymoon for the purpose of establishing a secure line of communication
- The secretary’s office eventually decided using the government jet was unnecessary
- An US Air Force private jet costs roughly $25,000 per hour to operate
- Mnuchin’s wife Louise Linton was criticized in August for responding to a commenter on Instagram over a photo of her stepping off the governement jet
The US Treasury Department opened an inquiry into Secretary Steven Mnuchin after he asked to use a government jet to whisk him and his wife away on their European honeymoon.
However, the secretary’s office eventually decided using the US Air Force jet, which costs roughly $25,000 per hour to operate, was unnecessary. Mnunchin is worth an estimated $300 million.
He apparently requested the jet to have a secure line of communication, a spokesman for the Treasury department said.
Steven Mnuchin asked to use a government jet on his honeymoon. In August, his wife Louise Linton posted this photo of them stepping of the government plane in Kentucky with hashtags for several designer brands
Democrat senator and member of the Senate Finance Committee Ron Wyden told ABC News: ‘You don’t need a giant rulebook of government requirements to just say yourself, “This is common sense, it’s wrong,”‘
‘That’s just slap your forehead stuff.’
Mnuchin made his millions primarily as a Goldman Sachs banker. The committee is also reviewing his decision to travel to Louisville and Fort Knox, Kentucky with his wife Louise Linton.
During the trip in August, she posted an eyebrow-raising photo of the couple strutting off the government jet on Instagram, tagging several designer brands.
Traveling on a US Air Force ket costs roughly $25,000 per hour to operate. Mnunchin (pictured with bride Louise Linton at their June wedding) is worth an estimated $300 million
When an Instagram commenter accused Linton of using tax payer dollars to fund her day trip writing: ‘Glad we could pay for your little getaway. #deplorable.’
Linton snapped back saying: ‘Aw!! Did you think this was a personal trip?! Adorable! Did you think the US govt paid for our honeymoon or personal travel?! Lololol.’
She has since apologized for the way she responded to the criticism.
Mnuchin has denied the trip was used as an excuse to view the solar eclipse and said he was there for meetings on tax reform.
The inspector general is reviewing the trip and the couple will reimburse the government for Linton’s travel expenses.