February 16, 2017

Warren, Cummings, Udall and Whitehouse Request GAO Immediately Review President Trump's Apparent Violation of National Security Protocols at Mar-a-Lago

Washington, D.C. - Today, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Rep. Elijah E. Cummings (D-Md.), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and Sens. Tom Udall (D-N.M.), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), sent a letter to the Government Accountability Office (GAO) requesting a review of whether President Donald Trump and his staff have followed appropriate protocol for handling sensitive national security materials at Mar-a-Lago and other locations.  They also asked for a review of taxpayer costs related to President Trump's stay at his private club.

"We are deeply concerned by recent reports that the President, his staff, and the Japanese Prime Minister discussed national security matters on ‘full view to fellow diners,' and reviewed potentially sensitive national security material in apparent violation of security protocols," the Members wrote. "In addition, we are concerned about the expenditure of taxpayer funds at Mar-a-Lago by the Secret Service and other government officials associated with the President."

In today's letter the members raised concerns that although President Trump's attorney has said he would voluntarily donate all profits from foreign government payments to the U.S. Treasury, it's unclear how the President or the Club has accounted for this visit, how the profits from future foreign visits will be addressed, or if the President has met or will meet this promise.

The Members requested GAO address several issues, including potential violations of protocol and security precautions related to President Trump's handling of national security information.

Click here and to read today's letter.

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