1. United States
2. Pa.
3. Letter

Investigate the taxpayer cost of deploying Avenger Air Defense Systems at Mar-a-Lago and Donald J. Trump International Airport in Florida. The Secret Service has positioned missile defense systems on a barge near the president's private Palm Beach resort and on the grounds of a commercial airport, with NORAD and U.S. Northern Command providing additional counter-drone support. That is a significant commitment of military assets to protect a privately owned resort. NORAD has intercepted more than 60 aircraft violating flight restrictions around Palm Beach since January, and a fighter jet intercepted a civilian plane just last week. I understand the need for presidential security. But stationing military hardware at a president's personal property, at public expense, raises serious questions about scope, cost, and oversight that the public has a right to have answered. Congress must demand a full accounting of what this operation costs, who authorized it, and whether this level of military deployment at a private residence is appropriate. Taxpayers should not be left in the dark on this.