Pentagon stalls House in probe over military stay at Trump resort

Sept. 7 (UPI) — The Pentagon has not provided requested documents and other information on military spending after an odd stop by a plane on a routine trip at President Donald Trump’s Scottish resort, according to a U.S. House oversight committee.

The probe first reported Friday by Politico was prompted by an Air Force crew making a stop in early Spring to a sleepover at Trump’s Turnberry resort, about 50 miles outside Glasgow, Scotland, on a routine trip from the United States to Kuwait to deliver supplies on the way there and on the way back.

The House Oversight Committee has been investigating the military sleepover since April as part of a larger probe into military spending.

A letter the committee sent to the Pentagon in June shows that the military has spent $11 million in fuel at the “debt-ridden airport” closest to Trump Turnberry golf course, Glasgow Prestwick Airport, since October 2017, even though the fuel would have been cheaper if purchased at a U.S. military base. The letter also cited a Guardian report from February of last year that the airport provided reduced rate rooms and free rounds of golf for U.S. military and civilian air crews.

The probe is seeking Defense Department documents related to post -election
military stops in Prestrick, Scotland, according to the letter, but the committee has yet to receive answers from the Pentagon, which has not been cooperating with the probe, a senior Democratic aide told NBC News.

Politico reported that it’s possible that the military has kept Trump’s Scottish resort afloat post-election since the property lost $4.5 million in 2017, but revenue went up $3 million in 2018.

The issue of spending on Trump resorts also came up earlier this week when Secret Service veterans pressed Vice President Mike Pence about his decision to stay at a Trump’s property in Doonbeg, Ireland, which was hundreds of miles away from his meeting in Dublin.

Despite conflict of interest concerns as stays at his resorts line his pockets, Trump is also considering hosting next year’s G-7 summit of world leaders at his Doral resort in Florida next year.