Private Jet Charter Source Bing.com
Tom Price, the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) under President Donald Trump, has come under scrutiny for his use of private jets for official government business. The controversy began when it was revealed that Price had spent over $400,000 on private jet charters since May 2017, according to a report by Politico.
Price’s Defense
Tom Price Source Bing.com
Price defended his use of private jets, stating that it was necessary for him to travel quickly and efficiently to various parts of the country to meet with healthcare providers and other officials. He also claimed that he had received approval for the use of private jets from the HHS Office of the General Counsel.
However, many critics pointed out that Price’s use of private jets was in direct contrast to the Trump administration’s stated goal of cutting government waste and reducing unnecessary spending.
Fallout
Donald Trump And Tom Price Source Bing.com
As a result of the controversy, Price faced intense scrutiny from various media outlets and politicians. Some called for his resignation, while others called for an investigation into his use of private jets.
On September 29, 2017, Price resigned from his position as HHS Secretary, citing the controversy surrounding his use of private jets as the reason for his resignation.
Other Officials
Private Jet Charter Source Bing.com
Price is not the only government official who has come under fire for their use of private jets. In 2018, it was revealed that Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt had spent over $100,000 on private jets and military flights during his first year in office.
Pruitt also faced criticism for other questionable expenses, such as a $43,000 soundproof booth installed in his office and a $3,000 trip to Italy where he stayed in a luxury hotel. These controversies ultimately led to Pruitt’s resignation in July 2018.
Conclusion
The controversy surrounding Tom Price’s use of private jets highlights the tension between government officials’ need to travel quickly and efficiently and the public’s expectation of responsible spending. As more government officials come under scrutiny for their spending habits, it remains to be seen whether the Trump administration will be able to fulfill its promise of reducing government waste.
