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Pentagon, Secret Service Slapped With Lawsuits Over Presidential Travel Records

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Ethan Barton Editor in Chief
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Judicial Watch announced Tuesday that it filed a lawsuit against the Departments of Defense and Homeland Security for travel expense records on former President Barack Obama and his family, 2016 Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, and President Donald Trump.

The conservative government watchdog filed the suit after the Air Force and the Secret Service failed to respond to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests the non-profit submitted between October and December 2016. (RELATED: Obama’s Hawaii Vacation Cost Taxpayers $3.5 Million)

“The government could not care less about giving taxpayers basic information about what it costs to provide travel and protection to our political leadership and candidates,” Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton said in a statement. “Judicial Watch shouldn’t have to file federal lawsuits to get basic information about how much taxpayers spend on the presidency.” (RELATED: Trump’s Trip Costing Taxpayers Millions Has A Lot Of Precedent)

The Air Force records Judicial Watch seeks concern the mission purposes, transportation costs and passenger manifests for:

  • Obama’s October 2016 trip to Los Angeles for two fundraising events and an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live;
  • Former First Lady Michelle Obama’s appearance at an October 2016 Clinton campaign rally in North Carolina; and
  • The former president’s appearance at a November 2016 Clinton rally in Florida.

Judicial Watch is also seeking Secret Service expense records for 11 trips taken by the Obamas, Clinton, and Trump between February 2014 and December 2016, most of which related to campaigning or vacations. Also included are security expenses for Trump’s stay in Trump Tower and his six-state, post-election thank you tour.

Judicial Watch previously obtained Secret Service and Air Force records that showed the Obama family’s travels cost taxpayers nearly $100 million during his two terms in the Oval Office.

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