Trump Tower

Members of the Secret Service stand guard on a roof of a building on Fifth Avenue before President Donald Trump's motorcade leaves Trump Tower, Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2017, in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

USA Today reports the Secret Service can't afford to pay its agents to protect President Donald Trump's family. It's only August, but more than 1,000 agents have already met the salary and overtime caps for the entire year. Critics call the family's frequent travel exorbitant and wasteful and insist the Trump family can afford their own security. But others say the president is already forgoing his salary -- it's our national duty to keep him and his family safe. What do you think?

PERSPECTIVES

The presidency is one of the world's most dangerous jobs, and few would argue president and his family don't require around-the-clock professional protection.

But Trump's frequent visits to his own business properties have proven especially challenging for Secret Service, which must maintain a regular security infrastructure at each, while still allowing access to paying members and guests. Critics say the billionaire should be able to pay for his own security if he insists on traveling every weekend to his golf courses.

All Trump's trips to his properties have made the Secret Service hit its budget for the year in 7 1/2 months https://t.co/78jtkoZvHY — Edward-Isaac Dovere (@IsaacDovere) August 21, 2017

Others point out the president does have a large family, but they should not be penalized for that. Let's just increase the Secret Service budget and make sure they are paid for their work.

Congress needs to increase the budget for the Secret Service. Protecting president's safety = essential governmental function — Patriot (@patriot17761980) August 21, 2017

Our nation has always protected the president & his family. We protect all president's families the rest of there life. Stop complaining !!! — hooks1952@att.net (@hooks19522) April 7, 2017

Trump Organization executives Donald Jr. and Eric Trump also are covered by security details, and critics say taxpayers shouldn't have to pick up the tab when the president's children travel to promote Trump-branded properties in other countries.

Secret service detail for the Eric and Don Jr while they travel the world promoting trump businesses IS A WASTE OF MILLIONS. https://t.co/OqSh1RoDyv — Patricia Gainsberg (@Patricia1Rocks) June 19, 2017

And others say this isn't a partisan issue, this is a national obligation.

You have to protect the President's family. He has a bigger family than Obama. Get over it! — Mark (@DawgMark35) February 18, 2017

We protect the president's family for the national interest as much as for theirs. — Will Truman (@trumwill) February 18, 2017

The president's allies point out he has forgone his salary and gave up a lucrative business to become Commander-in-Chief. The least we can do is keep him and his family safe.

But President Trump's detractors say not taking a salary is a drop in the bucket compared to the total amount the Secret Service has spent at his properties guarding him.

GOP LOGIC: Because Trump gave up his $400k salary we should absolutely cover the $3M per trip to Mar-a-lago and $60k for golf cart rentals. — Matty Ice (@MattyIceUSA) August 21, 2017

Others think protecting the president is one thing, but guarding his adult children on their vacations is completely another. Yes, extended family members should be protected, but they are Trumps and should be able to pay for it.

Tax Payers shouldn't be paying for Secret Service for Trumps Grown Children & their families! They Can afford it!! — Gail Berg (@galbrg) February 4, 2017

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