Washington, D.C. — Today, Rep. Robert Garcia, Ranking Member of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and Senator Maggie Hassan, Ranking Member of the Joint Economic Committee, wrote to the Government Accountability Office regarding Trump Administration officials’ personal use of government-owned aircraft and other expensive air travel on the taxpayers’ dime. Federal procurement data shows that agencies more than doubled spending on air travel in recent years, with costs growing from $2.35 billion in 2016 to more than $5 billion in Fiscal Year 2025. The Administration has also purchased multiple new luxury aircraft for use by senior officials.
“Trump Administration officials like Kash Patel are jetting around the country on luxury aircrafts paid for by taxpayers, while most Americans can’t afford rent and groceries. At every level of this corrupt Administration, officials are abusing their positions for their own gain. Congress has a responsibility to uncover the truth and hold those responsible accountable,” said Ranking Member Robert Garcia.
"People are fed up with a Trump Administration defined by self-dealing and corruption that serves its members at the expense of hardworking Americans. As Americans struggle to fill up their gas tanks and pay rent, top Trump Administration officials are reportedly wasting taxpayer dollars by using government-owned planes for personal travel around the world,” said Senator Hassan. “Taxpayers should not be footing the bill for luxury personal travel for Trump Administration officials. These allegations of misuse of taxpayer dollars require oversight.”
In the letter to the Government Accountability Office, Ranking Member Garcia and Senator Hassan wrote, “We are deeply concerned by Trump Administration officials’ flagrant personal use of government-owned aircraft and other expensive air travel on the taxpayers’ dime. As Americans deal with President Trump’s unprecedented affordability crisis and are forced to spend hundreds of extra dollars on groceries, electricity, and housing, they have watched as Trump Administration officials waste taxpayer dollars on extravagant and luxurious air travel. To make matters worse, the Trump Administration has provided no transparency into whether this air travel complies with federal regulations. To assist with essential oversight, we write to request that the Government Accountability Office (GAO) review federal agency compliance with Office of Management and Budget’s Circular No. A-126, “Improving the Management and Use of Government Aircraft,” and the General Services Administration’s (GSA) Federal Travel Regulation requirements, to ensure that taxpayers are not being forced to cover exorbitant and corrupt costs.”
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