Donald Trump's Children Spent the Weekend in Aspen with 100 Secret Service Members, Aspen Visitors Enraged
The expenses brought on by President Trump’s children’s Aspen ski trip has caused fury among taxpayers. A surge of reports has claimed that around 100 Secret Service agents will be needed to protect Ivanka, Donald Jr. and Eric Trump and their families.
After quoting sources from the local law enforcement, The Aspen Times noted that about 100 members from the Secret Service went with the first family and arrived in Aspen over the weekend. The news site also reported that the Trump children were not the only ones who were doing the spending. The Secret Service members reportedly spent $12,208.25 for renting ski equipment as well as for purchasing clothing at the Aspen Valley Ski and Snowboard Club.
People in Aspen have not been satisfied with the Trump children visiting the town. “They’re everywhere. There are so many of them,” a visitor from New York in Aspen said to Vanity Fair. “Everyone is complaining. Everyone is annoyed.”
In the Vanity Fair article, around 40 Aspen residents came together for a spontaneous protest after learning about the Trump children’s visit. Others also expressed their disbelief over increased traffic and difficulties in making dinner reservations.
Aspen Police Chief Richard Pryor confirmed that his agency has been communicating with the Secret Service, although he declined to issue a statement regarding the Trump children’s arrangements. Pitkin County Sheriff Joe DiSalvo said he had heard plans of the Trumps’ weekend visit but was not requested to assist the Secret Service personnel. "If it's anyone but him (the President) or her (the First Lady), I'm not sure we'd use public money for it," DiSalvo said.
A source from the Secret Service told PEOPLE that allowing 100 Secret Service members to accompany the Trump children’s ski trip is “reasonable.” Each of the President’s children along with their spouses and kids have security details that should be taken care of in three shifts within the day to complete the 24-hour security.
However, the Secret Service did not issue a comment on the number of agents that accomplished the Trump children in Aspen. According to some critics, it is not the number that matters but the costs that are being shouldered by the taxpayers.