Watchdog to examine cost, security of Trump's Florida trips

For a cheapskate like Trump, milking the public purse must be a dream come true

SuperLib - Trump got 3,000,000 fewer votes so it's not like polls showing Clinton with a 3% lead were not accurate. He just got the specific votes that carry more weight in the electoral college process.

It was 2.7 million votes.

Most of the polls indicated Hillary would win. Most of the pundits claimed Hillary would win. Most of the newsreaders expected Hillary to win. Most of the newspapers expected Hillary to win. I saw the shock on the faces of all those Hillary supporters on election day when they realized that they had been led astray. They finally realized that Hillary could lose. But they don't seem to have fully accepted that fact. Yet.

Those who are aware of how the U.S. elects it's President are well aware that it's the electoral college votes which elect the President. And that it's the individual states who decide how that state's vote totals are awarded to it's electoral college representatives.

Hillary - 227

Trump - 304

FYI - There has never been a nationwide popular vote for POTUS.

bass4funkMAR. 30, 2017 - 12:10AM JST

"Had his sons expand his Trump brand name and hotel chain. Helped Ivanka promote her fashion line."

Great father. I'd do the same for my daughter.

So you would use the power and influence that came with an elected position to benefit particular individuals, in this case close family members. And people should value what you have to say... well, why, exactly?

Trump got 3,000,000 fewer votes so it's not like polls showing Clinton with a 3% lead were not accurate. He just got the specific votes that carry more weight in the electoral college process.

And again, if you can find any conservatives who accurately predicted Trump would lose by 3 million and still win the White House, please show me. This made up stuff about how "liberals got it wrong" is just partisan politics. Show me conservatives getting it right and I'll give credibility to your point.

"So obviously you still support Trump. What's your angle? Hatred of Mexicans and Muslims? Racism against whites? Work in a coal mine? All of the above? Most people are ditching him, according to the recent opinion polls."

Speaking from Florida, you're totally wrong. What MSM poll? You're good at ad hominem. You'd should be a journalist.

Yes, I remember all of the predictions from conservatives that Trump would lose by 3,000,000 votes and still win the Presidency. All of you guys were saying it.

So obviously you still support Trump. What's your angle? Hatred of Mexicans and Muslims? Racism against whites? Work in a coal mine? All of the above? Most people are ditching him, according to the recent opinion polls.

SuperLib - Should we tell them that there's a difference between election polls and opinion polls? One requires you to actually show up and vote, which makes the number not as certain, the other is just asking your opinion. Trump fans won't understand, so maybe we should just continue to smile and wink when they say it

LOL. It was the Democrats who were so surprised, and so terribly saddened, that the recent election results didn't match the opinion polls. After all, it was the Democrats who convinced the Democrats that Hillary couldn't lose.

Smile ;)

I'm hoping another year to marinade on it and it should by then sink in.

Libs are really good at 'marinading' ROFL.

Back to issue, hope all those weekends of Trump marinading at the Southern White House pay off for 'the people'. Remember, they're paying for it. A great CEO always gets his constituents to pay his way. Drain that swamp!

bass: Depends on who you are asking, liberals, conservatives, mixed, men or women, minorities, people of various religions, location, which organization etc.

heh He still doesn't get it.

Smile ;)

No big deal, it's only about $12 million so far!

@Bass

Given that you don't trust polls, can I ask where you get your information about "the people"? You post on a variety of issues telling us what "the people" want.

Do you just ask your friends their opinion to make this judgement?

"He is writing a very good 'textbook' of how to fully take advantage of the power of the American presidency."

"The previous president was his mentor."

In what way did Obama use the presidency as a way to further his business interests or those of his family?

Smile ;)

One requires you to actually show up and vote, which makes the number not as certain,

Yeah, most Blacks and Latinos didn't show up to vote as with Obama.

the other is just asking your opinion.

Depends on who you are asking, liberals, conservatives, mixed, men or women, minorities, people of various religions, location, which organization etc.

Trump fans won't understand, so maybe we should just continue to smile and wink when they say it. ;)

Actually, I don't think liberals understand, they're still having a fit that they lost. I'm hoping another year to marinade on it and it should by then sink in.

"We need to make his supporters the extreme minority and bring out all of their insecurities and racism."

Low gas and utility prices (Did I bother to tell you I'm paying just under $2 a gallon? Oh! I just did. What? you're paying almost $5 per gal, yea?). Thousands of jobs available. The Trump supporters here in Florida are just too busy being prosperous to "bring out all of our insecurities and racism." Good luck trying to fight this. You just offer words. The economics are tangible. Very few here see it your way.

Should we tell them that there's a difference between election polls and opinion polls? One requires you to actually show up and vote, which makes the number not as certain, the other is just asking your opinion. Trump fans won't understand, so maybe we should just continue to smile and wink when they say it. ;)

The average of the polls was a couple of percentage points out. Same with Brexit.

Sorry, but every poll that casted doom and gloom over Trump has been a complete ruse.

You liked to quote polls when Obama's popularity was at its lowest.

And he went out with his supporters love a high popularity margin, good on his supporters.

This stopped when they began to rise and then you questioned their methodology.

No, it stopped because I knew the end was coming.

You're right. Trump has done quite a bit FOR HIMSELF. Let's see, he's cashed in on the added popularity of his name since becoming POTUS.

Why not, other presidents as well.

Had his sons expand his Trump brand name and hotel chain. Helped Ivanka promote her fashion line.

Great father. I'd do the same for my daughter.

Let's not forget that he has rolled back regulations which would've limited the rape of precious American lands and antiquities, just for the sake of lining the pockets of his rich brethren.

Can you prove this?

He is writing a very good 'textbook' of how to fully take advantage of the power of the American presidency.

The previous president was his mentor.

It's pretty lame to hear that his loyal followers can willingly let him do these things.

We said the same thing about the previous guy, but that's politics for you.

He's done quite a bit. Healthcare, yeah, that was a bummer and when Gosurch is on the bench, probably the travel ban will be reinstated.

You're right. Trump has done quite a bit FOR HIMSELF. Let's see, he's cashed in on the added popularity of his name since becoming POTUS. Had his sons expand his Trump brand name and hotel chain. Helped Ivanka promote her fashion line. Let's not forget that he has rolled back regulations which would've limited the rape of precious American lands and antiquities, just for the sake of lining the pockets of his rich brethren. He is writing a very good 'textbook' of how to fully take advantage of the power of the American presidency. It's pretty lame to hear that his loyal followers can willingly let him do these things.

"Trump's approval ratings are around 37%, and more than 60% feel he is untrustworthy"

"The polls also said, he could never win the presidency, they also said after the groping scandal, he couldn't win, the polls say a lot of things and what they have taught us during these last years is not to put a lot of faith into them."

The average of the polls was a couple of percentage points out. Same with Brexit.

You liked to quote polls when Obama's popularity was at its lowest. This stopped when they began to rise and then you questioned their methodology.

Can't lose.

SuperLib - Trump's approval ratings are around 37%, and more than 60% feel he is untrustowrthy. Those numbers will most likely continue in the wrong direction for Trump

The polls? Are those the same polls that indicated Hillary couldn't lose? Are those the same polling organizations that suggested that Trump couldn't win? Have these polling organizations suddenly become less biased, and more trustworthy? Are these polling organizations going to examine the cost, and security, of Trump's Florida trips?

bass:. The polls also said, he could never win the presidency, they also said after the groping scandal, he couldn't win, the polls say a lot of things and what they have taught us during these last years is not to put a lot of faith into them.

I support you 110% on this. You're doing the right thing and people are on your side. Double down when necessary and don't compromise.

Trump's approval ratings are around 37%, and more than 60% feel he is untrustowrthy.

The polls also said, he could never win the presidency, they also said after the groping scandal, he couldn't win, the polls say a lot of things and what they have taught us during these last years is not to put a lot of faith into them.

Those numbers will most likely continue in the wrong direction for Trump. We need to make his supporters the extreme minority and bring out all of their insecurities and racism.

Extreme minority? Dunno, dude, that map looked like someone spilled ketchup over it.

It's so cute when Trump supporters hang on to his campaign promises.

He's done quite a bit. Healthcare, yeah, that was a bummer and when Gosurch is on the bench, probably the travel ban will be reinstated.

The cost of 8 years of Obama vacations $85 million. The Obama family took 29 family vacations which were for a total of 228 days The annual trip cost $3.5 million. About one month of vacation per year.

I just wish you guys had that same outrage when Obama went on his vacations, no matter how much money was spent.

It is only speculation as to why the meetings were cancelled for this week, we dont know why and havent been told, so we have to wait.

Probably not for long. The walls are closing in. Nunes didn't only cancel the scheduled testimonies - he also canceled at least two regular committee meetings that were supposed to take place this week. This is not business as usual - in fact, it's not business at all. Blacklabel might chalk this up to scheduling; those paying attention (or without an agenda) will not. Pressure behind the dam is yuuuge,

It's so cute when Trump supporters hang on to his campaign promises.

How about if this government watchdog considers how much Trump is saving the taxpayers by cutting the planned 2 new Air Force One planes down to one? Nah...

yet what was actually SAID:

The letter, dated March 24, concluded: “If I do not receive a response by Monday March 27 at 10am EDT, I will conclude that the White House does not exert executive privilege over these matters with respect to the hearing or other settings.” Mr Spicer said the White House had not responded to that letter, an indication he said, that the Trump administration had not sought to stop her speaking. “It specifically said that if we did not respond they will go ahead, and we said nothing,” he said. “We’re happy for her to testify….We have no problems with her testifying.”>

Of course some of her testimony will probably be different, she is an Obama appointee who was fired by Trump. So I am sure that she sees some things that were said or done in a different light or context. It is only speculation as to why the meetings were cancelled for this week, we dont know why and havent been told, so we have to wait.

O’Neil then wrote to White House Counsel Donald McGahn, saying that he believed any privilege had been waived as a result of past White House statements and that Yates planned to testify unless he heard back from McGahn.

But that same day, the hearing, which also would have included former CIA director John Brennan and former director of national intelligence James R. Clapper Jr., was canceled by the House Intelligence Committee’s chairman, Rep. Devin Nunes

Yates and Brennan had made clear to government officials by Thursday that their testimony to the committee would probably contradict some statements that White House officials had made

Nunes is obviously stopping testimony that contradicts WH's versions of the story.

No he wants the meeting behind closed doors to prevent all the witnesses from using the FBI Director answer of 'I cant answer that in this setting', which he used like 100 times in the public hearing.

Nunes cancelled all meetings including meetings behind closed doors and isn't even holding meetings with the rest of the committee. That is just obstruction.

Be honest, you are more worried about what the leaks will say about the president than the fact that there are leaks, but you act like the leaks are worse than the possibility of Trump colluding with the Russians.

He cancelled the meeting because he wanted the meeting off the record and behind closed doors to prevent the public from hearing more about Trump being investigated. >

No he wants the meeting behind closed doors to prevent all the witnesses from using the FBI Director answer of 'I cant answer that in this setting', which he used like 100 times in the public hearing. So you put them behind closed doors in front of the full committee and now they have to answer, you cant at least get the truth or a lie on the official record. I am quite sure the public will know what is said even in the closed hearing because anything negative for Trump will be immediately leaked to the Washington Post.

Every President works even on the weekend. Every President deserves some weekend trips. Just not every weekend. Because all the other tax-payers are still paying for those extra more-than-called-for trips. Have some moderation.

Chairman Nunes announced the meeting was cancelled because the NSA head and FBI Director were unavailable

He cancelled the meeting because he wanted the meeting off the record and behind closed doors to prevent the public from hearing more about Trump being investigated. He is also preventing the rest of the committee from finding out. In effect, he is stopping the investigation because it is hurting Trump.

The last time he had these guys testifying, Nunes violated the number one rule for asking a witness to testify.

Never allow a witness to testify if you don't know what they are going to say.

Instead, the FBI opened with a statement that there was an ongoing investigation of Trump collusion with Russia by the FBI's counter-intelligence division.

The WH and Nunes are doing everything they can to put that genie back in the bottle. They look like they will succeed, but they will not be able to stop the FBI. The investigators are already hidden away from the normal FBI and out of political reach.

It is now on the public record that she can testify fully, just a matter of the meeting being rescheduled.

Blacklabel, the meeting was not "rescheduled" - it was indefinitely postponed unilaterally by Nunes. Why? Did he decide this himself, or was he instructed to do so?

His crazy White House stunt is probably unrelated to the testimony Yates has but matches the pattern of inexplicability. How did he know of this info? Who invited him - and why to the WH? Why after a week has he provided no details to members of his committee of either party? What exactly did he inform the president?

It is clearly not "just a matter." The next ten days or so will be very instructive.

Trump's approval ratings are around 37%, and more than 60% feel he is untrustowrthy. Those numbers will most likely continue in the wrong direction for Trump. We need to make his supporters the extreme minority and bring out all of their insecurities and racism.

@zichi Lawmakers who know what the media will use this for, lawmakers who my cynical side told me were Democrats as soon as I heard about it? (Yep, the article says so) I am sure that Trump the resident pays a lot of taxes there. I wonder if that is being taken into consideration that he is also a citizen and a taxpayer, not just the President.

if he is having a negative impact on their economy, then yes something should be worked out financially through the government to support these people.

Actually I will let Obama's people say it best:

Presidential aides defended Obama, saying he takes time for golf to clear his mind and ease the stress of his pressure-packed job.

"I will say that, generally, I think that, you know, sports and leisure activities are a good way for release and clearing of the mind for a lot of us," White House spokesman Eric Schultz told reporters on Friday.>

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-obama-golf-idUSKBN0GM20820140822

So exactly that for Trump as well. He is 20 years older, in much worse physical shape than Obama was and can use the exercise if he is going to make it through the next 8 years.

"Watchdog to examine cost, security of Trump's Florida trips">

The President of the United States requires security and staff. Security costs money as do transportation fees for staff. Money spent protecting a President and his family is necessary due to all the crazy people/terrorist of the world. This is not a vacation, just a weekend trip. Dont all of us have some time off on the weekend? The President seems to work whenever he is at his resort and even brings foreign leaders there to interact in a more casual setting. The fact that he plays golf in his free time is irrelevant, no different than if he slept or watched a movie.

The fact that this is even an article is yet another example of media unfairness. Obama spent at least 100 million on family vacations where he didnt even appear attempt to work and often golfed even after hearing of national crises (floods, terror attacks, beheadings, US servicemen deaths). I think he was also entitled to that time for himself, but should have stopped or cancelled during those times he didnt. Until Trump doesnt cancel a weekend trip when he should, its just a way for the liberals to keep attacking him until they find the next thing.

bass:. When the GOP asked Loretta Lynch

Grow a pair and start your own thread with your own narrative and opinions. Stop chasing every since criticism of Republicans and responding with endless "whatabouts?". Use your knowledge as a supposed 30-year journalist and add to the discussion.

Trump has now spent 8 straight weekends on trips to Trump properties, half of which to Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida. Except for the first weekend, he has since spent every weekend of his presidency traveling, despite pledging during his campaign that he would "rarely leave the White House because there’s so much work to be done."

Guess who's paying for all those extra trips? The Secret Service has already requested an increase of $60 million for next year's budget. It's taking a financial toll not only on the federal government but also on Palm Beach - county officials have said the sheriff’s office has spent already more than $1.5 million on overtime for deputies guarding Trump’s estate. Trump is putting Obama's trips to Martha's Vineyard to shame.

A federal law on the books since 1976 was designed to restrict some costs of a traveling president. The law requires Secret Service protectees to choose only one non-governmental residence to be their primary residence. The law caps spending on residences after the primary residence at $200,000. The Secret Service must seek Congressional authorization for spending greater than that cap. The General Accounting Office reports it costs $3 million for each Mar-a-Lago trip.

Oh and as far as the Clintons, you guys forgot the narrative. This is an investigation into the influence of Russia into the 2016 Presidential election. You guys keep thinking it just lets find out who on the Trump side did something wrong. Just because she lost doesnt mean she, her campaign manager and her husband were not part of the 2016 election.

Seeing as the Russians supposedly helped Trump win, I would be interested as to what Hillary and her people did in New York and California that counteracted and nullified that supposed Russian help.

bass: Because the last 2 years nothing happened

Ah, OK. So nothing credible. Just bass being bass. I was worried for a second there that you actually had a relative who works for the FBI feeding you information, now I know it's just more confirmation bias on your part.

The rest of your comments are the usual "cut and paste every single GOP criticism and respond with 'what about?'" Stop being so sensitive. Surely as a 30-year political journalist you can start your own thread and voice your own opinions without having to wait for someone else to post first, then posting the opposite of everything. Grow a pair and put your opinions down on paper by starting your own thread.

Uh, Blackelabel - no. As I mentioned above, the White House via the Justice Department had issued a warning to Yates that her testimony would require prior WH clearance. Turns out her lawyer had requested clarification on this, and when none was forthcoming, she was fully prepared to testify at the scheduled time and location - and then Nunes yanked it indefinitely.>

So her lawyer sent a letter to the White House on Friday and demanded a response by 10am on Monday. The letter said if no response was received by then, she would be testifying the next day. The White House did not respond, proof that she was allowed to testify anything she wanted. It is now on the public record that she can testify fully, just a matter of the meeting being rescheduled.

You keep saying this and I keep asking: what are your sources for these claims?

Because the last 2 years nothing happened, he's still there and from the looks of it and at least the foreseeable future, the next 42 months as well. Keep digging, I know a discount Home center that gives discounts to liberals on shovels.

No, Trump's lies have overshadowed the question about spending so much time on the golf course and wasting taxpayers money. Not to mention the hypocrisy of Trump criticizing Obama's golf trips. Trump's are leagues far worse. He spends about a third of his time on vacation.

I think the only people that are seriously outraged are the Trump haters and the media, in other words, not a big deal.

Not proving results? Then why all the shell games being played by Nunes and the WH.

What shell games? Oh, stop! When the GOP asked Loretta Lynch to recuse herself from the Hillary investigation, she refused, the same with Holder in refusing to turn over thousands of documents in the fast and furious scandal, did you guys go equally bat bleep crazy?

Cancelling witness testimony, trying to prevent the former temporary AG from testifying. Then allowing it only when the hearing is cancelled.

Spying on allies and using the IRS to take out conservative political rivals, the Dems don't have a leg to stand on. Sorry, don't make it like the Trump admin. is out of order. The last admin. was so out of order. Be fair in your outrage, it's Monday, I get it.

There are no straight answers and plenty of flat out lies. You can't say there isn't something there just because the shell games are preventing the legislative inquiry.

I don't have proof this is true, but considering it's been almost 2 years going through this, I pretty much feel there is probably nothing. Remember when Geraldo hyped up that time when he found Al Capone's vault? LOL

Never fear though, the FBI's investigation is proceeding.

They should, Clapper said, there's nothing and Comey says, there's nothing, meaning "nothing impeachable" so they should continue and spend our tax dollars and when the truth is revealed again, you guys STILL won't be satisfied, as usual.

Because of Nunes antics to prevent the FBI from testifying, you won't hear about the FBI's investigation until you start seeing arrests.

Whatever happened to Lois Lerner?

Flynn will be the first one in cuffs followed closely by Manafort..

So then that means Flynn, Manafort, Lerner, Clinton and Koskinen will all sit in federal prison! Good to know!

The WH is acting guilty, and the GoP is being proactive in hiding that guilt.

Just like the last 8 years of the previous admin.

This has already been proven as false, an anonymous source said this to a newspaper which printed it. But the White House responded in a public statement with a name attached and confirmed it is false. So his own team is just trying to raise speculation by putting things they cant prove in question format instead of as an actual statement of truth. I dont blame the chairman for not trusting them.

Yes, it's called Depraved Indifference. The MSM is depraved for propagating such unsubstantiated information, and the Dems and their bots show depraved indifference in supporting those false claims.

This has already been proven as false....

Uh, Blackelabel - no. As I mentioned above, the White House via the Justice Department had issued a warning to Yates that her testimony would require prior WH clearance. Turns out her lawyer had requested clarification on this, and when none was forthcoming, she was fully prepared to testify at the scheduled time and location - and then Nunes yanked it indefinitely.

C'mon, it doesn't take a genius to figure this out. Nunes is not working for congress - the former Trumptransition official is now a WH operative within congress. The WH knows they can't block Yates from testifying about issues not directly related to her communication with Trump, so they've instructed Nunes to put a hold on things until they can come up with some other plan, whether to silence her or prepare for blowback.

Also, please: Enough with the Clintons. They are private citizens without even a scion in sight. Harping back on that, as Trump did in his morning tweetburst today, is petulant and completely off-topic.

Sure, but focusing on the process rather than what is actually being said is just another method of deflection/distraction.

Crimes are being committed, for example the leaks/unmasking of names. That is a felony, as the FBI Director agreed. He will confirm an investigation into Trump associates, something with no evidence. But he wont confirm an investigation into something that does have evidence, the leaks?

Everyone wants to ignore the known crimes by distracting about the 'process' by which they were discovered instead. Reporters were asking who signed Nunes in to visit the White House grounds and were they authorized. How does that even matter, its not like it would nullify the evidence he finds if he didnt follow the sign in process. It only matters the contents of the evidence he found.

Like I said, Trump fans have no issues with the obvious appearance of a corrupt process.

Yes, it only matters if the evidence produced is legitimate or not. It is so politicized that he cant even trust his committee members. His own committee member Schiff Twitter:

Was today's open hearing cancelled because WH did not want Sally Yates to testify re Gen Flynn's deception? Didn't want to assert privilege?>

This has already been proven as false, an anonymous source said this to a newspaper which printed it. But the White House responded in a public statement with a name attached and confirmed it is false. So his own team is just trying to raise speculation by putting things they cant prove in question format instead of as an actual statement of truth. I dont blame the chairman for not trusting them.

Also, no one asked for recusal or made accusations from the Dem side when Obama's college buddy ruled against the travel ban, huh?

Nunes needs to go. A secret source at the White House that he won't share with his own committee? Heading over to brief Trump on new developments before his own committee? Part of Trump's transition team?

But he will most likely stay. Trump fans don't care about any of that. They enjoy the fact that it's an openly corrupt process.

"Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect."

Mark Twain

A great quote. I think this one is more apt in this situation:

"Three groups spend other people's money: children, thieves, politicians. All three need supervision."

Dick Armey

If you replace 'thieves' with 'con artists', Trump hits a hat-trick.

Wow, you guys love your speculation. But wont even look at the John Podesta, Clinton Foundation and Bill Clinton speech FACTS right in front of you. The Russia connections are right in front of you, and they arent Trump.

Chairman Nunes announced the meeting was cancelled because the NSA head and FBI Director were unavailable. Did either of them make a statement that this was false? Ok, so why are they unavailable? Because they know this new evidence shows that they lied last time and they need time to figure out what to do like who has to have an 'accident' or who has to be blackmailed or paid to prevent it from all being revealed. Speculation is fun, now I see why you guys like doing it.

Anyway, Trump has far more serious things to worry about than his golf outings and Mar-a-Lago fleecing. NYMag has a short but comprehensive explanation of the state of the Russiagate investigation, including a blockbuster regarding possible administration attempts to prevent former AG Yates from testifying before the House panel regarding the Flynn episode. Some tidbits:

(A Justice Department official wrote) conversations with the White House “are likely covered by the presidential communications privilege and possibly the deliberative process privilege. The president owns those privileges. Therefore, to the extent Ms. Yates needs consent to disclose the details of those communications to [the intelligence panel], she needs to consult with the White House.

(An analyst wrote) "Yates’ conversation should not be covered by Executive Privilege unless Trump is claiming he was involved in hiding this information from Mike Pence."

(Schiff tweeted) "Chairman just cancelled open Intelligence Committee hearing with Clapper, Brennan and Yates in attempt to choke off public info."

It appears that Nunes has completely shut down the panel for the week. Meanwhile, pressure behind that dam is building yuuugely. Seems to me Trump's time as prez is limited; he should focus rather than golf - he'll have plenty of time for the latter later.

http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2017/03/trump-asked-to-vet-sally-yatess-testimony-at-russia-hearing.html

he does his job well

Only if obstruction and coordination with the accused are job requirements.

we know we will always get the truth

Ahh, the truth. Haven't heard any truth from Trump or you for that matter.

you guys believe all this garbage

Pretty conclusive statement without knowing any facts. Has your alt-right sources clued you in to the real truth, or is your faith in GoP so strong you cannot see an issue?

I want the facts to come to light. Nunes is preventing that, but then who cares. His little committee is just a side show compared to the FBI investigation, and the committee has no real power other than oversight.

The WH is acting guilty, and the GoP is being proactive in hiding that guilt.

If I recall, the MSM didn't go after Clinton, or Bush, or Obama until well into their 3rd or 4th year of office about wasting tax payers money on golf or vacations. This story, and it's timing, is just vulture bait for the despaired globalist groupies, who most likely have no capacity to look at the "big picture"; which is the asset of the globalist hedgemons.

Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect.

Mark Twain

the Russian connection thing is not proving positive results, Maddow gleefully embarrassing herself on national TV about the nothing burger on Trump and his taxes. Gorsurch will be confirmed, race card failing miserably, so where does that leave us?

Hmmmm, why don't we try to hit him with golf playing and presidential travels, I mean, why not give it a shot?

No, Trump's lies have overshadowed the question about spending so much time on the golf course and wasting taxpayers money. Not to mention the hypocrisy of Trump criticizing Obama's golf trips. Trump's are leagues far worse. He spends about a third of his time on vacation.

Maddow is just happy with her ratings and acting like a fool. Besides, Trump leaked his own 2005 return. Gorsurch was always going to be confirmed, not big win there.

Not proving results? Then why all the shell games being played by Nunes and the WH. Cancelling witness testimony, trying to prevent the former temporary AG from testifying. Then allowing it only when the hearing is cancelled.

There are no straight answers and plenty of flat out lies. You can't say there isn't something there just because the shell games are preventing the legislative inquiry.

Never fear though, the FBI's investigation is proceeding. Because of Nunes antics to prevent the FBI from testifying, you won't hear about the FBI's investigation until you start seeing arrests. Flynn will be the first one in cuffs followed closely by Manafort..

It makes sense he would disclose national security information in public areas to uncleared private citizens, how else is he supposed to leak national secrets to his Kremlin handlers?

Bass goes ballistic when Obama went on golfing trips. Bass goes ballistic when people point out the amount of money Trump is spending on golfing trips.

Seems legit.

Moderator: "Bass goes ballistic?" You can have 24 hours off from posting for being impolite to another reader. Please always remember that good manners apply in cyberspace, too.

At least the Secret Service is stocked up with ski gear after Ivanka and Jared's jaunt to Aspen. Seriously: must have been hilarious to see those typically stocky guards doing the piste.

bass4funkMAR. 29, 2017 - 09:23AM JST Ok, so let's see, the Russian connection thing is not proving positive results,

Perhaps if you only get your news from JT and /pol/, you might believe that.

Hopefully they will scale back his security a bit....

bass4funk: the Russian connection thing is not proving positive results

You keep saying this and I keep asking: what are your sources for these claims?

Talking about Trump's short trip to Florida, accompanied by Shinzo Abe, which is only a small change compared to Shinzo Abe's trip from Tokyo to Yamaguchi with many of his antorage following him on board his personal? & 747 plus almost 60 trips around around the World he's taken along his wife, and have accomplished nothing in cement! Can anybody figure it out how much this PM has spent? Doesn't any Japanese people ever get mad? Remember, it's your tax-money he keeps on spending!

Yukichan

It's about time they look into how taxes are being spent. I hope they also look into the money spent on his sons' trips across the world promoting new Trump hotels and business ventures. What good has his family done for America and Americans so far? All they've done is shown the ability to line their pockets with more cash, or Ivanka and Melania promoting more of their products and appearing on the covers of numerous fashion magazines. Why hasn't Melania started making appearances at schools, or made public speeches yet? She hasn't even hired a personal aide to help her set up these events yet. At least Michelle Obama continues to make appearances at schools and organizations, helping to promote education, health, and nutrition.

Ok, so let's see, the Russian connection thing is not proving positive results, Maddow gleefully embarrassing herself on national TV about the nothing burger on Trump and his taxes. Gorsurch will be confirmed, race card failing miserably, so where does that leave us? Hmmmm, why don't we try to hit him with golf playing and presidential travels, I mean, why not give it a shot? Everything else failed, so let's try this one. The MSM are so overly and obsessively desperate, they actually forgot to do their jobs and that's to report the news that Americans can be informed, learn from it, apply it to their lives. This is just another long list of big snores that people wake up to and go....really? 2 weeks this will be in the backs of peoples minds and the looney left will be on the hunt once again to find something, anything that they can stick Trump with. More interesting than an Easter egg hunt.

He can rack up all the bills he wants. Trump doesn't care, and neither do his supporters. Just build that wall and ban those Muslims.

Comments are focusing heavily on the costs, but the big issue here is security. You can't easily put a price tag on people overhearing classified information.

"Spillage" (which refers to when a level of sensitive information was exposed outside of secure channels) can cost government and business far more than the travel costs of executives, and no one can honestly say what or how much the President has exposed.

You have a leader who campaigned against Clinton with the whole "Lock her up" and "Crooked Hillary" slogans. She was absolutely wrong to have used private e-mail to send sensitive info. But, you'd think Trump would be a little more careful with his political discussions considering his stance on the whole thing!

Just another way that Trump's campaign platform differs from his actions once in office.

During the run-up to the election a common theme of Trump supporters was that any of Obama's outings was costing the taxpayer too much. I have to think Trump supporters must feel the same about the ridiculously high costs of security for Trump and his families.

Nah, the problem wasn't that money was being spent on outings, it's that a Democrat was spending money on outings. Obama is a Republican, so they are ok with it.

Watchdog to examine cost, security of Trump's Florida trips

The MSM setting up the next distraction. Normally they'd what until the report was published, but not in these globalist days. Keep feeding the scavengers.

During the run-up to the election a common theme of Trump supporters was that any of Obama's outings was costing the taxpayer too much. I have to think Trump supporters must feel the same about the ridiculously high costs of security for Trump and his families. (Do his ex-wives get secret service protection, too?) Am I right Trump supporters?

Do all Trump's global properties also get taxpayer paid security? It's clear his properties have increased in value since he took office and his corporation's profits have also increased. Will he pay taxes on any of this, or will he continue to expect the American people to pay for his businesses - and his royal lifestyle?

I'm sure anyone who identifies as a conservative must be appalled at this waste of taxpayer's money. Am I right?

Presidents are financially responsible for personal meals/groceries in the WH family living quarters.

By eating out and pretending he is at work, even with Ivanka and husband, the US taxpayer picks up the tab. DT scams and cons everything and everyone.

A nice little earner for Mar-a-Lago, owned by whom?

Dump Dumb Donald !