Trump Protection Will Cost Bedminster, Lance Asks Feds For Relief

BEDMINSTER, NJ — Congressman Leonard Lance (NJ-07) wrote a letter to Attorney General Loretta Lynch on Thursday asking the United States Department of Justice to cover the costs of security required to protect President Trump, his family and dignitaries when they visit Trump National Golf Course in Bedminster.

Lance's letter was sent in response to Bedminster's Mayor Steven Parker's letter to Lance asking for help.

"We in Bedminster Township are flattered that our new President enjoys spending time in Bedminster as much as our residents," Parker wrote last week to Lance, according to Bernards Township Regional Chamber of Commerce. "We want to welcome President Trump with open arms, but don't wish to burden our taxpayers disproportionately for these visits."

With Trump likely to spend between five to 10 weekends a year at the golf course, it will require additional security for each visit.

“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.

If Trump comes to Bedminster seven times a year, the overtime costs would be at least $12,240 a day, or nearly $37,000 per three-day visit, Bedminister officials said, according to according to Bernards Township Regional Chamber of Commerce. That adds up to $257,000 a year, or more that $1 million for a four-year administration.

Lance asked the federal government to make available grants and funding to cover the costs of security. Similar funding arrangements with the Department of Justice were made available when President Obama visited Chicago and Hawaii.

Lance has also asked U.S. Senators Robert Menendez and Cory Booker to support grant requests that would cover New Jersey expenses.

Here is a copy of the letter sent by Lance:

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

Photo credit: Gage Skidmore via Flickr Commons

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