Today’s outrage du jour is over this Washington Post piece on “ethical concerns” raised by the Department of Defense possibly renting space in Trump Tower as part of the necessary security for President Trump:
The Department of Defense looks to rent space in Trump Tower, raising ethical questions, @drewharwell reports https://t.co/kr1z8fVXaI
— Philip Rucker (@PhilipRucker) February 8, 2017
But why is this even a story? Ari Fleischer, press secretary for George W. Bush, explains:
Please. This is nonsense. As press knows, DoD set up shop on land across from Bush's ranch. DoD must have space nearby. City vs rural issue https://t.co/aYzQINRz4K
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) February 8, 2017
Drew Harwell, author of the piece, tried to defend his reporting, but Fleischer shot him down, too:
"lucratively owned" and "name out front", aside from being loaded terms, don't matter. DoD must be close by. Not across 5th Ave
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) February 8, 2017
Harwell went on to suggest that Trump should rent the space to the DoD for $1:
https://twitter.com/AdamBlickstein/status/829338563774918656
https://twitter.com/drewharwell/status/829339686212608000
Keep in mind, Harwell also authored this nothing-burger complaining about taxpayer funding of keeping Trump’s kids safe:
Eric Trump’s trip to Uruguay cost taxpayers $97,830 in hotel bills https://t.co/90iQueorBv
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) February 3, 2017
Regardless of the merits of having the DoD in Trump Tower, people are already going to go with the scandal angle, however. Some examples…
Matt Pearce, Los Angeles Times:
annnnnd the government continues to look for ways to funnel taxpayer money into the president's pockets https://t.co/kWpgTNwuO5
— Matt Pearce ? (@mattdpearce) February 8, 2017
Igor Volsky, Center for American Progress:
You gotta be kidding me. https://t.co/ANjsQwygzR pic.twitter.com/sG68o91ThK
— igorvolsky (@igorvolsky) February 8, 2017
Jill Smokler, author:
My head just exploded. https://t.co/n6GOV79lGi
— Jill Smokler (@smoklerjill) February 8, 2017
Bradd Jaffy of NBC News does get it right, however:
I file this in same place as Eric/Uruguay. POTUS/family need to be protected. End of story. Even if setup is unusual https://t.co/YUciYGwQEP
— Bradd Jaffy (@BraddJaffy) February 8, 2017
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Related:
ThinkProgress’ Judd Legum discovers sudden new concern of taxpayer-funded security for First Kids
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