Kathrine Frich
Kennedy’s current travel habits have raised some eyebrows behind closed doors
When election season kicks into high gear, politicians spend most of their time bouncing between campaign stops.
Travel budgets usually face strict limits to keep taxpayer costs down. Sometimes, however, top officials catch rides that carry a staggering price tag.
A pricey flight
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. recently touched down in Iowa to support Republican candidates ahead of the November midterms.
Instead of booking a standard ticket, the high-profile politician arrived on a military aircraft. According to a report by Raw Story, he flew out of the Washington area on a Gulfstream jet operated by the Air Force.
That level of comfort does not come cheap. The Defense Department charges roughly $9,000 an hour to keep that specific plane in the sky.
For comparison, the government normally pays around $250 for a commercial flight along the exact same route.
Approved for takeoff
The expensive arrangement did not happen in secret. The Washington Post reported that lawyers for the White House and the Department of Health and Human Services personally signed off on the travel plan.
Health officials defended the luxury flights by pointing to his unique situation. They argued that Kennedy requires specialized transport due to his massive public profile, constant protective detail, and the severe threats he faces.
With his security team by his side, he hit the campaign trail in Iowa. He spent his time rallying support for congressional candidate Mariannette Miller-Meeks and gubernatorial hopeful Zach Lahn. According to the Cook Political Report, both politicians face highly contested races.
Echoes of the past
This situation marks a massive shift from President Donald Trump’s first term in office. Years ago, the president fired his original health secretary, Tom Price, after reports revealed he used private jets for routine government business.
Even with official approval, Kennedy’s current travel habits have raised some eyebrows behind closed doors. Chris Klomp, a senior official nominated as deputy secretary, reportedly pushed back on the jet usage in at least one instance.
Three anonymous sources told The Washington Post that Klomp questioned if the military aircraft was truly necessary. Kennedy actually agreed with the pushback and chose not to use the government plane that time.
Sources: Raw Story, Cook Political Report
