U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and his wife Louise Linton are under fire again — this time over reports that they requested to use a government plane for their honeymoon earlier this year.
According to ABC News, the Mnuchins’ request for a plane would have cost the government about $25,000 an hour, as it took the couple across Scotland, France and Italy. The request sparked an inquiry by the Treasury Department’s Office of Inspector General.
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A spokesman for Mnuchin’s office said the request was made so the official could have “secure communications” with the government, but the couple eventually decided they didn’t need publicly funded travel for a personal trip.
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The news comes just weeks after Linton slammed a woman on Instagram for saying the couple used a government plane for private reasons.
In August, Linton faced backlash for showing off her designer clothing and accessories in an Instagram photo, which showed her getting off a government jet. One woman criticizing her wrote, “Glad we could pay for your little getaway #deplorable.”
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Linton snapped back: “Cute! Aw!!! Did you think this was a personal trip?! Adorable! Do you think the US govt paid for our honeymoon or personal travel?! Lololol. Have you given more to the economy than me and my husband? Either as an individual earner in taxes OR in self sacrifice to your country?”
READ MORE: U.S. Treasury Secretary Mnuchin and wife used government plane to get eclipse view, watchdog says
Mnuchin and Linton have also faced criticism for allegedly using a government plane to view August’s total solar eclipse. The Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) have claimed that the couple planned a trip to purposely coincide with the spectacle.
CREW’s claim was later denied by Mnuchin’s office, which said the flight was taken to Louisiana for meetings on tax reforms and that Linton’s travel costs would be reimbursed.
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