In a highly unusual move before leaving office, Donald Trump ordered Secret Service protection for his four adult children and two of their spouses, who were not automatically entitled to receive it. He also added three former administration officials to the list. The Washington Post writes:
But Trump wanted every family member who had been protected by the Secret Service during his administration to be covered for six additional months, according to the people familiar with his directive, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to describe security arrangements.
That means the expensive, taxpayer-funded security will continue for daughter Ivanka Trump and her husband, Jared Kushner; son Donald Trump Jr., son Eric Trump and his wife, Lara Trump; and daughter Tiffany Trump.
And, Trump added to the list former Sec. of the Treasury Steve Mnuchin, former chief of staff Mark Meadows, and former national security adviser Robert O’Brien.
All of them will receive 6 months additional protection from the Secret Service.
The perk for the Trump family is expected to cost taxpayers millions of dollars and further stress the elite federal security force, which in the past four years had to staff the largest number ever of full-time security details — up to 42 at one point, according to former senior administration officials.
