Vice President Pence defends stay at Trump property in Ireland

D UB L IN» Vice President Mike Pence on Tuesday defended his decision to stay at one of President Donald Trump’s properties while in Ireland in the face of criticism by Democrats and good government groups that he’s enriching Trump at taxpayers’ expense.

Pence called the Trump property a “logical” choice.

Speaking to reporters in Dublin, where he spent the day, Pence spoke about his personal connection to the village of Doonbeg — the site of the Trump International Golf Links & Hotel as well as family history.

“It’s deeply humbling for me to be able to come back to Ireland and have the opportunity to go to the very hometown of my mother’s grandmother,” Pence said.

Pence added that he understood “political attacks by Democrats,” but said the State Department signed off on the decision. He said Doonbeg is a “fairly small place” and the opportunity to stay at the property, “to accommodate the unique footprint that comes with our security detail and other personnel, made it logical.”

Trump has come under criticism for frequenting properties he owns and profits from — giving them taxpayer-funded publicity and running up millions of dollars in taxpayer costs. Foreign governments and groups looking to curry favor with him have spent large sums at his properties, raising ethical alarms about potential pay-to-play dynamics and other conflicts.

Marc Short, Pence’s chief of staff, told reporters aboard Air Force Two the decision to stay at the Trump property was made at the president’s “suggestion” and that Pence and his entourage were not staying for free. Short said Pence’s office followed official protocol and received State Department sign-off. He said the club is the “one facility” in the Doonbeg area able to accommodate a group of their size.

Pence, traveling with his wife, mother and sister, had planned to visit the village at the end of a trip to Europe, spending a night in the village after visits to Iceland, London and Dublin. But Trump canceled his visit to Poland because of Hurricane Dorian and asked Pence to take his place. That forced reshuffling of travel plans.