House stonewalled in probe of military sleepovers at Trump resort

Donald Trump at Trump Turnberry Resort in Scotland in June 2016, when he was the presumptive Republican presidential nominee.Jeff J Mitchell / Getty Images file

The conflict-of-interest probe, first reported Friday by Politico, seeks Department of Defense documents and other information related to post-election military stops in Prestwick, Scotland, not far from Trump Turnberry, according to a letter co-signed by oversight Chairman and U.S. Rep. Elijah Cummings, D-Md.

The letter, dated June 21 but unknown to the public until this week, states that a look at Defense Logistics Agency data shows that, since October 2017, taxpayers have spent $11 million on 629 fuel purchase orders at Glasgow Prestwick Airport in Scotland.

The ailing airport has lost millions of dollars in revenue in recent years, according to the letter, and its existence is crucial to the golf resort’s survival. The airport has offered discounts and free rounds of golf to members of the U.S. military, the letter states, citing the Guardian.

The Politico report also says jet fuel is usually less expensive at bases. An Air Force official told the publication that staying at a luxury resort was not normal for on-duty service members traveling at taxpayers’ expense.

The House Oversight letter, citing the Washington Post, states losses at Trump’s Scottish resort amounted to $4.5 million in 2017. Politico reported in June that revenue increased by $3.1 million the next year.

Pence’s chief of staff, Marc Short, said the detour to Doonbeg was suggested by the president. But the vice president’s office subsequently issued a statement saying the trip to Doonbeg, where Pence has familial ties, was “solely” the idea of the vice president and his staff.

Navy Vet

Article URL : https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/house-stonewalled-probe-military-sleepovers-trump-resort-n1051031