Democrats Demand Trump and GOP Reimburse Taxpayers for Rally Security: ‘Shouldn’t Be on the Taxpayers to Pay That Cost’
REUTERS
Long Island Democrats have filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission (FEC), demanding that former President Donald Trump and local Republicans reimburse taxpayers for the security costs incurred during a recent rally. They argue that forcing taxpayers to cover these expenses amounts to an illegal in-kind campaign contribution, Newsday reported.
The rally, held at the Nassau Coliseum, which seats 16,000 people, drew a large crowd and prompted a significant police presence. According to reporter Candice Ferrette, the event included security measures such as police dogs, horse-mounted officers, an aviation unit, and special operations forces.
In their FEC complaint, Democrats assert that these taxpayer-funded services should be considered an “in-kind contribution” — goods or services provided to a campaign without charge or at less than market value — and must be reported as such under the law.
“Yesterday was the biggest taxpayer-funded political event in Nassau County history — and that is saying a lot,” said Delia DeRiggi-Whitton, the Minority Leader of the local legislature, during a press conference. “County taxpayers were forced to foot the bill of a partisan rally orchestrated by [GOP County Executive] Bruce Blakeman and the Trump campaign.”
The controversy follows a recent assassination plot targeting Trump at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, marking the second such incident in two months. Although Trump was not injured, the event has heightened security concerns for the former president.
Blakeman, however, pushed back against the criticism from Democrats, defending the security measures. “Nassau County provides security and safety to all public figures and public events regardless of party affiliation,” Blakeman said in a statement. “I guess Democrat leaders really do want Trump killed, but it ain’t happening in Nassau County!”
In response, Democratic lawmaker Seth Koslow clarified the party’s stance. “We didn’t say the police should not be there. The police should be there. We want everyone safe. But the campaign should pay for that additional service. It shouldn’t be on the taxpayers to deal with that and pay that cost.”
Trump’s campaign has a history of leaving local police departments to cover security costs for rallies, often burdening smaller communities with limited budgets. The ongoing debate over who should bear the financial responsibility for these events is yet another flashpoint in the increasingly contentious 2024 election season.
