The United States military is looking to rent space at Trump Tower for use when Donald Trump returns to his longtime home in New York City, raising more questions about the president’s conflicts of interest.
A Pentagon spokesman said on Wednesday that the Department of Defense was looking for the space “in order to meet official mission requirements”.
Two US officials said that the space would probably be rented from a third party, and not from the president or members of his family. The officials said it was not clear yet if the contract had been finalized.
The officials were not authorized to discuss the contract publicly, so spoke on condition of anonymity.
“The Department of Defense is working through appropriate channels and in accordance with all applicable legal requirements in order to acquire a limited amount of leased space in Trump Tower,” said Army Lt Col JB Brindle. “The space is necessary for the personnel and equipment who will support the Potus at his residence in the building.”
It was not clear how much it would cost the Pentagon to rent space in the 58-story Midtown Manhattan tower, which is owned by the Trump Organization. Entire floors, which run between 13,000 and 15,000 square feet, cost about $1.5m a year, according to the building’s website.
Trump has lived in the three-story penthouse for three decades. He has not yet returned to New York since taking office, though his wife Melania and their young son Barron have continued to reside there. His business is also based in the skyscraper.
It is customary for the military to obtain space near a president’s residence.
A number of military officers, including medical and transportation personnel and those assigned to keep the “nuclear football”, a briefcase that allows the president to authorize a nuclear attack, must all stay near the commander-in-chief. The military also rented space near former president Barack Obama’s home in Chicago.
The Secret Service must also have space nearby and, when needed, have rented from the person they are assigned to protect. The agency rented space on former vice-president Joe Biden’s home in Delaware, though that cost far less than what would be expected for space in Trump Tower.
The Secret Service did not immediately respond to a request for comment.