Treasury secretary sought military jet for honeymoon
U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin had requested an Air Force jet to fly him and his wife, Louise Linton, to their European honeymoon this summer, raising questions again about the wealthy couple’s use of government aircraft.
A Treasury Department spokesman said in a statement this week that the request, which the department withdrew, was made so that Mnuchin, a member of the National Security Council, would have access to secure communications as he traveled abroad. “It is imperative that he have access to secure communications, and it is our practice to consider a wide range of options to ensure he has these capabilities during his travel, including the possible use of military aircraft,” the spokesman said.
The department withdrew the request “after a secure communications option was identified during the Secretary’s extended travel.”
While the department’s office of the inspector general said it was looking into Mnuchin’s use of government planes, President Donald Trump said he had “total confidence” in his Treasury secretary.
An Air Force spokesman told ABC News, who first reported the story, that the jet would cost $25,000 an hour to operate, although it is unclear whether that included costs such as maintenance and fuel. Government workers and troops on travel typically accrue costs for food and lodging.
“Let me just set the record straight. First of all, the government never paid for any of my personal travel,” Mnuchin said at a conference. “This had nothing to do with convenience. This was purely about national security.”