Tag

#cabinet-spending

2 incidents

Grade 1 of 5: Significant Democratic Concern

Steve Mnuchin: Requested Military Jet for Honeymoon, Flew Air Force Jet to Kentucky on Eclipse Day

The Treasury Inspector General opened an inquiry after criticism of the Kentucky trip. Mnuchin denied the trip was related to the eclipse ('Being a New Yorker, I don't have any interest in watching the eclipse'), and reimbursed the government $595 for Linton's travel out of a total cost of $26,900. The inquiry revealed the honeymoon jet request, which Mnuchin had withdrawn. The IG's October 4, 2017 report found 'no violation of law in these requests and uses' of government aircraft, but expressed concern about a 'disconnect' between the required standard of justification and the proof Treasury provided and the White House accepted. It reviewed nine military-aircraft requests since March 2017; the seven trips taken cost $811,800. Linton's Instagram post — tagging designer brands and replying dismissively to a critic — became a symbol of administration attitudes toward wealth and public service.

Grade 2 of 5: Major Abuse of Power

Tom Price: $1 Million in Private Jet Travel as HHS Secretary, Resigned After Public Disclosure

Price's private jet use was revealed by Politico, which reported in September 2017 that he had taken multiple private charter flights at costs far exceeding commercial alternatives — including a $25,000 flight from Washington, D.C. to Philadelphia, a route served by Amtrak trains for under $80 and commercial flights for under $200. After the initial Politico report, additional flights were disclosed including trips to Europe, Africa, and Asia on military aircraft. Trump initially said he was 'not happy' about the reports while keeping Price in office, then accepted Price's resignation on September 29, 2017. Price offered to reimburse approximately $52,000 — the cost of his seat only on the flights — but not the full charter costs.