Mnuchin under inquiry for requesting a military jet for his honeymoon
Washington — US treasury secretary Steven Mnuchin sought to use a US Air Force jet for his honeymoon to Europe last month for national security reasons — a request that was later withdrawn. Mnuchin and his wife, actress Louise Linton, eventually decided not to travel on a government plane, the treasury department said in a statement after an ABC News report on the matter. His request is now part of an inquiry by the department’s office of inspector general, ABC news reported on Wednesday, citing unnamed officials. The cost is about $25,000 an hour, ABC reported, citing an Air Force spokesperson. Mnuchin’s request for personal travel at taxpayer expense was made out of concern for him having a secure method of communications, given issues ranging from Iran to Venezuela to North Korea, a treasury spokesperson said. After it became apparent that other methods of protected communication were available, Mnuchin decided not to use military aircraft, she said. Treasury secretaries in the p...
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