Protecting Trump costs New York $1 million a day

(Baonghean.vn) - According to information provided by three New York officials to CNN, the city has to spend more than 1 million USD per day to protect President-elect Donald Trump and his family.

Security will continue to be tight outside Donald Trump's home at least until he takes office. Photo: AP.

And even when Mr. Trump moves into the White House, that spending will likely drop significantly. That’s because Melania Trump and their 10-year-old son, Barron, plan to continue living in Trump Tower in midtown Manhattan, at least through the end of the school year. And Donald Trump has made it clear that he plans to return home frequently, especially if his wife and children are still there.

In addition to the above costs, there is also the payment for the police force assigned to protect Trump's adult children and grandchildren. John Miller, the deputy commissioner of intelligence and counterterrorism for the New York Police Department, told WCBS on November 21 that the above members of the Trump family are also receiving Secret Service protection and all live in New York.

New York Mayor Bill de Blasio said at a press conference last weekend: “The number one thing that requires attention here is safety and security. We have that thanks to the president-elect, his family and his team.”

However, Bill de Blasio added that the city will need to help with costs, especially police overtime: “This is a huge undertaking, requiring huge resources. We will soon begin discussions with the federal government about reimbursing the NYPD for some of the costs.”

While primary responsibility for protecting the president, or president-elect, of the United States lies with the Secret Service, local law enforcement agencies also have supporting responsibilities, especially to control public movements.

Every US president needs protection from local law enforcement when they return home during their term. But protecting Trump in New York City is particularly expensive, because he lives in the most densely populated area of ​​the nation’s largest city.

“We’ve never had a situation where a president of the United States will be here on a permanent basis,” de Blasio said. “The details of Trump’s plans are still unclear, but we know that he will be here on a permanent basis over the next 65 days. The NYPD is facing a challenge, and so is the city of New York, there’s no doubt about that.”

The city has previously requested and received reimbursement for the cost of protecting world leaders, such as when heads of state visit the United States. Records show New York received $26 million in reimbursements for such costs in the 12 months ending June 30, or about $500,000 a week. But de Blasio said the city’s need to provide Trump with constant, ongoing protection was unprecedented.

Police have erected a cordon around Trump Tower at 56th Street and 5th Avenue, right in the middle of the city. While 56th Street is essentially closed to traffic, 5th Avenue remains open, but traffic flow through the major thoroughfare has been significantly affected.

And when Trump travels through the city, police need to close down necessary routes. For example, the Lincoln Tunnel was closed during rush hour last weekend as Trump traveled to New Jersey.

Thu Giang

(According to CNN)