Members of the United States Secret Service reportedly pay for a studio apartment in Washington, D.C. near the home of Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump. According to reports, the Secret Service uses the apartment for bathrooms and office space because Kushner or Trump allows agents to use the bathrooms in their home. Initial reports suggest that the Secret Service has spent more than $100,000 over the course of three years to keep this apartment, but the White House has denied these reports.
"This is just another false narrative. When discussions regarding protecting their home were initially had in 2017, Ivanka and Jared made clear that their home would always be open to the incredible men and women on their detail. It was only after a decision by the USSS was made that their detail sought other accommodations," White House Spokesman Judd Deere said.
"The Kushners have a tremendous amount of respect for the servicemen and women on their detail and for the United States Secret Service as a whole. Their home will always be open to them and they have immense gratitude for their service over the last four years."
The apartment in question is located in an upscale neighborhood known as Kalorama near the city's Dupont Circle area. While Kalorama is an upscale area, it pales in comparison to the 5,000 square foot home with seven bathrooms owned by the Kushners. Two agents told the Washington Post that they were not allowed to use the bathroom at the large residence without any reason as to why.
"It's the first time I ever heard of a Secret Service detail having to go to these extremes to find a bathroom," one unnamed agent to the news outlet.
Before the agency secured a studio apartment, agents allegedly had to use a porta-potty, but it was removed after neighbors complained. Afterward, agents began sharing a bathroom in a command post used by former President Barack Obama's security detail. However, their arrangement came to an end after a member of the Trump/Kushner detail left "an unpleasant mess" in the bathroom.
Despite these recent reports, the Secret Service maintains that the apartment was secured for agents to have a place to rest, use the internet and eat in between shifts.
"The Secret Service makes every effort, particularly at a residence, to conduct protective operations with minimum impact on a household. In accordance with this practice, Secret Service personnel do not request access to the facilities at private residences," a spokesperson for the Secret Service said.
"Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner have not denied Secret Service personnel access to their home to include use of the restroom."
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