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BumRushDaShow

(129,440 posts) Tue Feb 27, 2024, 04:47 PM Feb 27

Secret Service paid over $12 million for a year's protection of 2 Trump advisers from potential Iranian threats

Source: CBS News

February 27, 2024 / 11:07 AM EST

John Bolton and Robert O'Brien, two former national security advisers who served in the Trump administration, required ongoing U.S. Secret Service protection long after they left their positions due to potential threats from Iran. Newly released documents reveal the cost to taxpayers of that security. For nearly one year of protection, the total for both individuals was $12,280,324.

The cost of the security details was disclosed in a series of Department of Homeland Security reports to Congress, signed by DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. The reports were obtained by "60 Minutes" through a Freedom of Information Act request with the U.S. Secret Service, as part of a report about Iran's escalating threats against former Trump officials.

While the Homeland Security reports do not mention Iran by name, "60 Minutes" has independently verified that Bolton and O'Brien were receiving protection due to possible threats from the regime. The DHS documents disclose the protection for both men involves dedicated special agents, 24 hours a day, covering their homes and offices, as well as domestic and foreign travel. Officials like Bolton and O'Brien do not typically receive this level of protection once they leave office, and not for as long as both have been receiving it.

Bolton received no protection initially after he left the White House. He started getting protection in December 2021, when the Iranian threat to his life came to light. According to the documents, former President Donald Trump, upon his departure from office, directed the Secret Service to provide protection for O'Brien. For the period ending Sept. 30, 2021, that cost $1,928,922. The documents reveal President Biden then directed the U.S. Secret Service to extend both men's protection. The documents shed some light on a topic that remains largely out of public view: the financial toll of protecting American decisionmakers from foreign governments' transnational aggression.

Read more: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/secret-service-paid-over-12-million-for-a-years-protection-of-2-trump-advisers-from-potential-iranian-threats/

13 replies

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Secret Service paid over $12 million for a year's protection of 2 Trump advisers from potential Iranian threats (Original Post) BumRushDaShow Feb 27 OP

No. TAXPAYERS paid over $12 million for that. n/t CousinIT Feb 27 #1

My thought has always been LastLiberal in PalmSprings Feb 27 #5

$10 watered down glasses of soda or bottled Trump water. tanyev Feb 27 #6

If he shaved off his moustache nobody would recognize him. Harker Feb 27 #2

That was my first thought SouthernDem4ever Feb 27 #7

There has to be a huge backlog... Harker Feb 27 #8

Put him in a memory care unit behind locked doors and it will be slightly less expensive. Hope22 Feb 28 #11

Why didn't Bolton write another book to pay for his security detail ? magicarpet Feb 27 #3

Terrorism works in many ways. Turbineguy Feb 27 #4

am I rooting for Iran on this one now? hmmmmm.....gotta think about this one..... ZonkerHarris Feb 27 #9

Probably Hieronymus Phact Feb 28 #10

"Possible threats".... SergeStorms Feb 28 #12

$6 million per Roy Rolling Feb 28 #13

CousinIT

(9,257 posts)

1. No. TAXPAYERS paid over $12 million for that. n/t

Reply to BumRushDaShow (Original post)

Tue Feb 27, 2024, 04:49 PM

Feb 27

LastLiberal in PalmSprings

(12,591 posts)

5. My thought has always been

Reply to CousinIT (Reply #1)

Tue Feb 27, 2024, 05:30 PM

Feb 27

How much of the money protecting TFG goes directly into his pockets?

How many rooms at an ultra-premium rate at Mar--A-Lego is the Secret Service paying for each month? How many over-priced meals are charged to the SS because he can't be left alone? Golf cart rentals? Seats for agents on T***p's private plane as it flies from rally to rally (billed as first class even though they're coach)?

And then there's Melania...

tanyev

(42,610 posts)

6. $10 watered down glasses of soda or bottled Trump water.

Reply to LastLiberal in PalmSprings (Reply #5)

Tue Feb 27, 2024, 06:44 PM

Feb 27

I’ve wondered about that, too.

Harker

(14,034 posts)

2. If he shaved off his moustache nobody would recognize him.

Reply to BumRushDaShow (Original post)

Tue Feb 27, 2024, 05:02 PM

Feb 27

Former Trumpsky staff who are critical of him also need protection from his MAGA goons.

SouthernDem4ever

(6,617 posts)

7. That was my first thought

Reply to Harker (Reply #2)

Tue Feb 27, 2024, 09:02 PM

Feb 27

They need more protection from domestic terrorists.

Harker

(14,034 posts)

8. There has to be a huge backlog...

Reply to SouthernDem4ever (Reply #7)

Tue Feb 27, 2024, 09:17 PM

Feb 27

given the huge and diverse group of people at whom they spew hate.

Hope22

(1,859 posts)

11. Put him in a memory care unit behind locked doors and it will be slightly less expensive.

Reply to Harker (Reply #2)

Wed Feb 28, 2024, 08:20 AM

Feb 28

When people complain about the bill it will finally shed some light on a huge problem in this country that affects so many families here.

magicarpet

(14,167 posts)

3. Why didn't Bolton write another book to pay for his security detail ?

Reply to BumRushDaShow (Original post)

Tue Feb 27, 2024, 05:10 PM

Feb 27

He made numerous observations about the trDUMP admin. But never shared the info with the American public until he got his book contract and his hefty payment to reveal secrets about team trDump and his failures as president in his published book.

By the time Bolton's book was finally printed it was too late to impact the myriad failures of team trDump during his two impeachments in the House.