Mayor Jeri Muoio believes West Palm Beach is now a potential target due to President Donald Trump's frequent visits to his Mar-a-Lago estate on Palm Beach. And his visits have been so costly that Democrats are asking him to pay up or stay away.
Muoio met with Rep. Lois Frankel on Monday to discuss efforts to get federal reimbursement for Palm Beach County of more than $1.7 million in overtime work and other expenses related to Trump coming to town, reported CBS 12 News.
“We understand the president wanting to be here every week,” Frankel said, per the Huffington Post. “We understand that. This is paradise, right?”
Muoio implied, though, that maybe the president should stay in Washington and New York City more, saying that with him having a residence on Palm Beach, it makes the area a potential target.
“I think it draws attention to our area and opens up the potential for a potential threat,” Muoio said, according to CBS 12.
Lisa Ruth, CEO of CTC International who worked in counter-terrorism for nearly 20 years, echoed Muoio’s sentiments.
“Our risk profile has increased pretty dramatically because of President Trump,” Ruth said. “What they (terrorists) want is their publicity, it is the air that keeps them going.”
“To be prepared for it we have to have better intelligence,” Ruth added. “We have to understand what the threats are, who the threats are.”
“What we’re saying to the White House is: ‘Please step up to the plate and help us get this money back,” Frankel, a Democrat, said in a letter that was signed by Democratic Florida Reps. Alcee Hastings and Ted Deutch, The Post noted. “And if you’re unable to do that, consider curtailing your travel.”
Since taking office in January, Trump has been traveling to his Palm Beach residence on a near weekly basis, according to The Hill.
“While we want the fullest protection for your visits, we hope you would be responsive to the losses of small businesses and residents of Palm Beach County,” said Frankel.
Palm Beach safety director Kirk Blouin said he can’t recall ever seeing law enforcement reimbursed for beefing up security for the president in the past, noted the Post.
“In the history of the protection of the Office of the President, I’m not aware of any law enforcement being reimbursed for that,” Blouin said. “If the money’s available, we’ll certainly seek reimbursement.”