A pair of online petitions is demanding that the residents of New York City not be on the hook for President-elect Donald Trump‘s $1 million-per-day security costs.
One of the petitions even has some heavyweights behind it — Speaker of the New York City Council Melissa Mark-Viverito, and Counc. Dan Garodnick.
Since Trump’s surprise victory, New York City police have increased protection for the president-elect and his family, who resides at Trump Tower in the heart of Manhattan, not far from the Museum of Modern Art and Carnegie Hall.
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While Trump moves to the White House early next year, his wife Melania and son Barron will stay behind until the school year is over. There have been reports indicating Trump will live part-time in New York.
Police have set up barriers and security details at the luxury skyscraper, which has been the headquarters for his transition team as he prepares for his inauguration.
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One petition lobbies for federal funds to cover the security costs; it is intended to be delivered to Trump.
“At an estimated $1 million per day, protecting you, your family and your home at Trump Tower will total over one billion dollars during your four-year term,” the petition states.
“This represents an extraordinary financial burden for New York City taxpayers.”
The city’s basic services — such as police, sanitation, and schools — would suffer under the financial burden, it states.
“Commit the necessary federal funds to reimburse New York for all costs of protecting you and your family— both before and after your inauguration as President of the United States of America.
“Make it clear today that New York City is not going to get stuck with the bill.”
A second petition takes aim at Melania’s plans to stay in New York after her husband goes to the White House. Signed by roughly 90,000 supporters, it urges Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Mayor Bill de Blasio to refuse the security costs.
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“The New York taxpayers refuse to pay over $1 million a day so she can stay. If this decision has been made, between the two of them they should be the ones to pay for it. Not New York taxpayer dollars that could be used on roads, schools, transit, sanitation, new jobs and other expenses that the city has,” it states.
“This is what tax dollars should be used for, improvements for the city and all the people of the city, not just one.”
De Blasio previously said the cost of protection for Trump and his family was of concern.
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“We are particularly concerned about overtime costs, and we think it’s a very valid situation to turn to the federal government for the maximum possible reimbursement for those costs,” de Blasio told reporters last month.
Trump’s inauguration day is Jan. 20, which is also the day the Obamas will officially make way for the Trumps in the White House.
With files from Reuters
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