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Trump Security Costs Are 'Unsustainable,' Mark-Viverito Says

By Jeff Mays | November 30, 2016 4:18pm
 The costs of providing security to President-elect Donald Trump are
The costs of providing security to President-elect Donald Trump are "unsustainable," said City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, who called on the federal government to help shoulder the reported $1 million daily cost of securing Trump and his family.
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William Alatriste/NYC Council

CITY HALL — The costs of providing security to President-elect Donald Trump are "unsustainable," said City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, who called on the federal government to help shoulder the reported $1 million daily cost of securing Trump and his family.

"I have serious concerns with regards to the amount of resources that the city is spending on a daily basis for additional security," said Mark-Viverito, who heavily campaigned for Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton. "It’s unsustainable."

►READ MORE: Here's What We Know About the Trump Tower Security Plan

Trump has spent the weeks since the election largely at his penthouse at Trump Tower at Fifth Avenue between 56th and 57th streets interviewing candidates for his cabinet. The city has had to add hundreds of officers to secure the area, manage traffic and perform bag checks on the block leading to the tower. Officers are also stationed on rooftops in the area and truck restrictions are in place.

Trump administration officials have also indicated that the President-elect would likely be returning to the city on a regular basis on the weekends and that Trump's wife and son will likely maintain residence in New York City for at least the remainder of the school year.

Mayor Bill de Blasio says he has had conversations with the head of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson and officials from the Trump administration about getting reimbursed for the costs. The mayor has declined to release how much additional taxpayer money is being spent to protect Trump.

"We’re going to work very, very hard to get very substantial level of reimbursement, and I feel good about our chances based on the history of reimbursement and that was in situations that were much less substantial than this one," said de Blasio.

►READ MORE: How a Trump Presidency Will Affect New York City

Mark-Viverito said she like to hear a "reaction or response" to the city's request for reimbursement since the costs of security are so great.

“Let’s say hypothetically we’re talking about the $1 million a day figure that’s out there, right, then we’re talking about $364 million a year. [sic] Even if we were to half that, we’re talking about $170 million a year. It is unsustainable," said Mark-Viverito.

While Mark-Viverito agreed the city has a "responsibility" to protect Trump and his family, she said the city just shouldn't shoulder it alone.

"We definitely need the federal government to step up here,” said Mark-Viverito. "This cannot be a one-sided relationship."