Secret Service paid millions above market rates at Trump properties

1) Push Congress to hold/expand oversight hearings — who to call/email and what to ask: Call House Oversight Chairman Rep. James Comer (Washington DC office: (202) 225-3115; Rayburn office 2410 Rayburn HOB) and the Committee main line at (202) 225-5074. Ask for: (a) a public full accounting of Secret Service expenditures at Trump properties (including overseas records), (b) a GAO audit of agency contracting/waivers for per‑diem limits, and (c) subpoenas for any outstanding Mazars/Trump Organization ledgers. Use this script: “I’m a constituent and I’m calling to request that Chairman Comer open a hearing and subpoena the full Secret Service and Trump Organization billing records related to stays between 2016–2021. I want transparency and a GAO audit to determine whether taxpayers were overcharged.” Follow up by email via Comer’s website contact form (comer.house.gov/contact). Source: Oversight Committee contact and prior Oversight findings. citeturn15search2turn13search1

2) Support and amplify the watchdog FOIA/legal strategy — who to contact and join: Donate, sign up, or submit tips to Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW). CREW’s Secret Service analysis and ongoing FOIA/litigation work are the best existing institutional leverage; contact their press/advocacy team: phone 202‑408‑5565, press & general contact via the CREW contact page and media address listed on their site; key staff to flag: Noah Bookbinder (President & CEO), Donald K. Sherman (Executive Director & Chief Counsel), Jordan Libowitz (VP for Communications). Ask CREW whether you can (a) share documents, (b) join an amicus/coalition, or (c) volunteer to help publicize new releases. CREW has documented roughly $1.75–$2.0M in Secret Service payments to Trump properties (their FOIA analysis) — use their reporting when contacting Congress and press. citeturn7view0turn9search0

3) File FOIA + OIG complaints (step‑by‑step & contacts): a) Submit a FOIA to the U.S. Secret Service for the full ledger of Secret Service expenditures at any Trump/Trump‑branded property (include date range Jan 1, 2016–Dec 31, 2021) to FOIA@usss.dhs.gov and mail to U.S. Secret Service FOIA Office, 245 Murray Lane BLDG T‑5, Washington, DC 20223. Sample FOIA subject line: “Freedom of Information Act request — Secret Service expenditures at Trump Organization properties (2016–2021) — fee waiver requested for public interest.” USSS FOIA page explains submission and FOIA contact. citeturn2search7turn2search3 b) If FOIA responses are incomplete or delayed, file a complaint to DHS Office of Inspector General Hotline (online form or phone 1‑800‑323‑8603) reporting potential waste, conflict of interest or incomplete records — give as many specifics as possible (dates, invoice examples such as $1,185/night instances). DHS OIG will log and may open an investigation. Timeline tactics: mark your calendar to follow up 20 business days after FOIA filing; if no or partial release, ask CREW or your Member of Congress to intercede. citeturn5search1turn12search4

4) Pressure the Secret Service and Trump Organization directly: a) Media/FOIA pressure — email the Secret Service media inbox (usssmediainquiry@usss.dhs.gov) and U.S. Secret Service Director’s office via the committee hearing record to request public accounting; for FOIA status email FOIA@usss.dhs.gov. b) Corporate pressure — send a certified letter and an emailed media inquiry to The Trump Organization (Executive Offices, 725 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10022; press@trumporg.com; use the “Connect” page on trump.com for forms). Ask them to produce receipts showing “at‑cost” vs invoiced amounts for each Secret Service charge itemized in Oversight/CREW reports. Publicize non‑responses on social channels and to local press to raise reputational cost. citeturn2search3turn16search0

5) Launch or join a targeted petition & media campaign (practical steps): Create a focused petition (Change.org / Resist.bot / MoveOn) demanding: (A) a GAO audit of Secret Service spending at candidate/former‑President‑owned properties, (B) congressional subpoena authority over incomplete Secret Service records, and (C) that any proven overcharges be repaid or offset. Set a measurable threshold goal (e.g., 100,000 signatures in 30 days). Tactics: (1) seed with CREW’s report and Oversight press release in the petition text, (2) run targeted social ads (zip codes around committee members & major donors), (3) email lists to allied groups (Public Citizen, Common Cause, Free Speech For People) and local progressive clubs, and (4) deliver petition to committee offices and to the GAO public affairs desk requesting audit consideration. Example sources & rationale to cite inside the petition: CREW analysis (~$1.75M) and House Oversight letters showing $1.4M+ charged and room rates as high as $1,185/night. citeturn7view0turn13search1

6) Local organizing playbook — town halls, vigils, and press events: a) Town halls: Ask your Representative (or Rep. Jamie Raskin if you’re in MD/constituency) for a public town hall focused on government ethics & Secret Service spending. Raskin DC phone: (202) 225‑5341; constituent email form: raskin.house.gov/email‑jamie. Provide a one‑page packet (CREW + Oversight highlights) and request staff attendance from Oversight Committee members. citeturn0search1turn15search2 b) Vigils/press rallies: Organize a midday press event outside your Member of Congress’s district or the local office (permit parks/sidewalks 2–3 weeks ahead). Supply: one‑page fact sheet, a petition printout, a clear “ask” (e.g., subpoena + GAO audit), 1‑2 constituent speakers, and a local press alert (send to city paper, local TV assignment editor 24–48 hours before). c) Coalition building: recruit local chapters of Common Cause, Public Citizen, Indivisible groups and student chapters; assign roles (press, petitions, phone‑banking, FOIA trackers). Use CREW’s research as the factual backbone. citeturn7view0turn11search2

7) Tactical citizen actions & timing (multi‑channel escalation plan): Week 1: File FOIA to USSS (FOIA@usss.dhs.gov) and file DHS OIG Hotline complaint (1‑800‑323‑8603). Week 2–3: Phone call blitz — contact Committee Chair James Comer (202‑225‑3115), Oversight Committee main line (202‑225‑5074), and your own Representative — ask for a hearing and GAO referral; use short, repeated calls (9am–5pm local time). Week 4: Launch petition + press release and coordinate with CREW to amplify. Month 2: If FOIA/OIG responses are incomplete, ask CREW to consider litigation and request your Member of Congress to issue a subpoena (cite prior Oversight letter and documented examples such as $1,185 nights). Keep a public timeline (shared Google doc) and mobilize weekly phone nights to Congress until a hearing is scheduled. Sources for procedural contacts and timelines: USSS FOIA guidance and DHS OIG hotline; CREW reporting and House Oversight records. citeturn2search7turn5search1turn7view0turn13search8