The conservative legal group Judicial Watch announced Monday that it has filed a Freedom of Information lawsuit against the Secret Service to obtain information about the cost to the taxpayers of recent Obama vacations.
Earlier this year, Judicial Watch attempted to ascertain the costs of security and related costs for the President Barack Obama’s trip to Palm Beach, Fla., the first lady’s trip to Aspen, Colo., and Vice President Joe Biden’s trip to Aspen, Colo. via a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request.
On March 18, the Secret Service acknowledged receiving the FIOA request the Judicial Watch made on Feb. 27. According the group, the Secret Service had until March 27 to tell it whether or not they would comply with the request. To date, Judicial Watch has yet to hear back.
“These lavish personal vacations are symbolic of the total indifference this administration has to the out of control costs of government,” Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton said. “And once again, the administration is, contrary to law, stonewalling simple requests for just how much their luxe lifestyles are costing American taxpayers.”
Last April Judicial Watch obtained documents through a FOIA lawsuit against the Air Force and Secret Service showing Michelle Obama’s trip to Spain in August 2010 cost taxpayers $467,585.
In October 2011, Judicial Watch got documents showing that Michelle Obama, her family and staff’s trip to South Africa and Botswana in June 2011 cost taxpayers $424,142.