Report: Pentagon Close To Leasing Trump Tower Space For Nuclear ‘Football’
- 7 years ago
The U.S. government may soon be leasing a “privately-owned” Trump Tower apartment where the White House Military Office would be based when President Trump is in New York City.
The U.S. government may soon be leasing a “privately-owned” Trump Tower apartment for use by the White House Military Office when President Trump is in New York City.
According to Fox News, the office "...which is a unit of the Pentagon, is tasked with—among other things—protecting the famous nuclear 'football.'"
Reuters initially broke the story about the potential lease based on a March 3 letter it read from Defense Department official James MacStravic to Democratic Representative Jackie Speier, a member of the House Armed Services Committee.
According to the news agency, “The letter explained that the White House Military Office, a Pentagon unit, ‘requested approval to lease space in the Trump Tower for personnel assigned to support the President when at his private residence.’”
The letter also seemed to establish that efforts were made to avoid any conflicts of interest with Trump, stating, “We are not aware of any means through which the President would personally benefit from a Government lease of this space.”
The Washington Post reported in early February that this was one of the initial concerns when the Department of Defense began its search for space in Trump Tower, writing that it is “a move that could directly funnel government money into the president’s business interests.”
However, the Post had also noted that “Defense officials made similar arrangements for past presidents, including at the Chicago home of Barack Obama…”
The U.S. government may soon be leasing a “privately-owned” Trump Tower apartment for use by the White House Military Office when President Trump is in New York City.
According to Fox News, the office "...which is a unit of the Pentagon, is tasked with—among other things—protecting the famous nuclear 'football.'"
Reuters initially broke the story about the potential lease based on a March 3 letter it read from Defense Department official James MacStravic to Democratic Representative Jackie Speier, a member of the House Armed Services Committee.
According to the news agency, “The letter explained that the White House Military Office, a Pentagon unit, ‘requested approval to lease space in the Trump Tower for personnel assigned to support the President when at his private residence.’”
The letter also seemed to establish that efforts were made to avoid any conflicts of interest with Trump, stating, “We are not aware of any means through which the President would personally benefit from a Government lease of this space.”
The Washington Post reported in early February that this was one of the initial concerns when the Department of Defense began its search for space in Trump Tower, writing that it is “a move that could directly funnel government money into the president’s business interests.”
However, the Post had also noted that “Defense officials made similar arrangements for past presidents, including at the Chicago home of Barack Obama…”