MIDTOWN — A City Hall spokesman invoked the wrath of Donald Trump supporters when he tweeted that City Hall planned to “send [Trump] the bill” for the NYPD's evacuation of Trump Tower on Tuesday.
Police and Secret Service agents initiated the evacuation after finding a suspicious package that turned out to be a bag of kids Christmas toys — and Sean Spicer, the GOP’s communications director, tweeted out his thanks to the NYPD for their swift work.
De Blasio spokesman Eric Phillips replied that the city — which has been battling Congress to pick up the massive cost of funding security for the President-elect — would be sure to pass the cost along.
No problem. We'll send you the bill. https://t.co/mxbUqzgHds
— Eric Phillips (@EricFPhillips) December 27, 2016
The response, which included GOP operatives and avowed white supremacists alike, was swift, brutal and profane.
Eric Phillips- Spokesperson for @NYCMayor @BilldeBlasio- you are an embarrassment to the @NYCMayorsOffice & the amazing #NYPD. https://t.co/kPX9go1gl4
— Dan Scavino Jr. (@DanScavino) December 28, 2016
@EricFPhillips @seanspicer same way you are sending NYC taxpayers the bill for $11 million to defend @BilldeBlasio scandals?
— Vamos Mets (@VamosMets) December 28, 2016
@EricFPhillips Send the "bill" as you call it to the current traitor sitting in the @WhiteHouse
— Rich Reed (@True2ABeliever) December 28, 2016
@EricFPhillips Maybe you should worry about your crooked boss and his problem
— Steven Criss (@steve68135) December 28, 2016
It was not immediately clear how much the evacuation cost the city or nearby businesses.
De Blasio in November requested $35 million in reimbursement from the federal government to pay for security around Trump Tower, which the city says has been straining NYPD resources and costing city taxpayers $473,000 per day.
A Republican-led panel made a counteroffer of $7 million, or about 14 days of security costs by the city’s estimate, drawing immediate rebuke from New York lawmakers.
According to City Hall spokesman Austin Finan, the mayor remains committed to getting the city’s money back for Trump Tower security.
“Congress owes our City a lot of money for providing the president-elect with the security he requires,” he said. “We’ve outlined these costs in detail. It’s our job to aggressively advocate for the NYPD and for City taxpayers, and we won’t back down from that responsibility.”
