A West Palm Beach Marine Corps Reserve unit scrapped plans to hold its annual birthday ball at Mar-a-Lago, according to a Palm Beach Post article published Monday.
The 4th Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, or 4th ANGLICO, was forced to resort to hosting the ball at a gymnasium because of concerns about President Donald Trump possibly profiting from the event.
“We went from dinner tables at Mar-a-Lago to picnic tables in a gymnasium. We can’t plan another ball now,” one senior officer told the Post, noting that it was too late to get another venue for the event, which was already scheduled for November 16. (RELATED: Happy Birthday To The US Marine Corps — A Daily Caller Salute To Heroes At Home And Abroad)
The Miami Herald published the initial story, revealing the unit’s plans to the public and suggesting that such a move could raise further questions about Trump’s potential financial boon from the event.
NEW: U.S. Marine unit wants to hold annual ball at presidential venue: Trump’s Mar-a-Lago clubhttps://t.co/lxtUOMyvSr
— julie k. brown (@jkbjournalist) September 20, 2019
An update that came a day later conceded that no taxpayer dollars had been allocated for the event but also noted that the USMC commandant was “said to be ‘angry.'”
UPDATED: It took until 9 pm on Fri. night but Marine Corps confirmed a South Florida unit is considering holding an annual ball at Mar-a-Lago. Adds no taxpayer money will be spent. Still, Trump could profit and the USMC commandant is said to be “angry” https://t.co/jXuV0Wvh3R
— Nicholas Nehamas (@NickNehamas) September 21, 2019
Critics attacked the unit, suggesting that their plans were proof that government employees were “padding the president’s bottom line.”
Marines may use Mar-a-Lago for an annual ball. Yet another example of government employees padding the president’s bottom line. https://t.co/iQWU2TEbU9
— Citizens for Ethics (@CREWcrew) September 22, 2019
Last week, it was a Border Patrol retirement party at Trump’s Virginia club. Now, it’s a Marine ball being planned at Mar-a-Lago.
We would label this as corruption in any other country. We shouldn’t stop calling it out here. https://t.co/EIa6IDPQPU
— Chris Lu (@ChrisLu44) September 20, 2019
U.S. Marine unit makes plans to hold annual ball at Trump’s Mar-A-Lago resort amid controversy over spending at Trump venues https://t.co/l2peGKD303.
Sure there will be an “election.”
— Jodi Jacobson (@jljacobson) September 21, 2019
The 4th ANGLICO won’t be the only Marine Corps unit celebrating that day — the USMC will celebrate its 244th birthday on November 10, 2019, but not all units celebrate on the same day.