Kristi Noem under scrutiny over 'highly unusual' arrangement for rent-free waterfront home
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has secured herself a sweetheart deal that allows her to live rent-free in Washington, D.C. in what is described as a “spacious waterfront residence.”
According to a report from the Washington Post, Noem did not feel safe staying in an apartment like other Donald Trump Cabinet officials, so she was granted the ability — for security reasons — to stay in a residence at “Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling in Southeast Washington where the Coast Guard commandant typically resides.”
As the Post is reporting, most officials have been allowed to stay in such residences going back to Donald Trump’s first term, but need to pay.
For the controversial Noem, the arrangement is causing a stir because she appears to be getting a free ride
According to the Post, “Noem’s housing has raised eyebrows from current and retired Coast Guard officials, as well as Democrats, who warn that Noem risks creating the perception that she is exploiting the perks of her position as DHS secretary, in which she supervises the Coast Guard.
"They say her decision could set off a chain reaction that could displace other senior members of the service in a situation with limited housing.”
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The report adds, “Current and former Coast Guard members have also cited Noem’s frequent use of a Coast Guard Gulfstream aircraft as a point of tension. Agency guidelines require the DHS secretary to use a plane with secure communications for both personal and professional business, though they are required to reimburse the government for personal travel. DHS did not say whether Noem has done so.”
This is not the first time Noem’s government housing situation has drawn scrutiny, dating back to her time as governor of South Dakota where she was criticized for spending $68,000 in taxpayer funds to refurbish the governor’s mansion with a sauna, chandelier and other amenities.”
The Post report adds, “Noem’s housing arrangement could create the impression that she is exploiting her position of authority over the Coast Guard to accrue perks for herself," according to Cynthia Brown of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW), who suggested, “What are the optics? And is this taking advantage of your individual position as a government official to benefit unduly?”
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