Defense Department may lease space at Trump Tower
The Defense Department is looking into leasing space at Trump Tower in Manhattan, a Pentagon spokesman said Wednesday.
“In order to meet official mission requirements, the Department of Defense is working through appropriate channels and in accordance with all applicable legal requirements in order to acquire a limited amount of leased space in Trump Tower,” Lt. Colonel JB Brindle said in an e-mailed statement.
The statement added that “the space is necessary for the personnel and equipment who will support the POTUS at his residence in the building.”
It is not uncommon for the Defense Department to have infrastructure at or near a president’s residence. It is unusual, however, for the president to make money off the lease payments. Mr. Trump, of course, owns the space that the department would rent.
Trump Tower has been nicknamed “White House North” and it’s where first lady Melania Trump and their son Barron will be living still until he finishes the current school year.
The president spent much of the time planning his administration’s transition at Trump Tower on 5th Avenue in Midtown Manhattan.
CBS News’ Arden Farhi contributed to this report.
