WASHINGTON — Tom Price resigned Friday as President Donald Trump's Health and Human Services Secretary, after days of public outcry over his use of private jets to conduct government business, costing taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Before the White House announced the resignation, Trump referred to the secretary's fate as he departed the White House for Bedminster, New Jersey, calling Price a "fine man" but reiterating his displeasure about his use of private jets for multiple trips on government business .
Price's 261 days in office make him the shortest-ever serving Health and Human Services Secretary, including among leaders in the years when the agency was still known as the Department of Health, Education and Welfare (1953-1979) and when it was part of the Federal Security Agency (1939-1953).
His exodus is the latest in a string of high-profile departures from the Trump administration — many of which have happened on Fridays. White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer resigned on a Friday in July, followed one Friday later by Chief of Staff Reince Priebus . Two weeks later, Steve Bannon, the president's chief strategist, was also out .
A department spokeswoman told NBC News that Price would write a personal check to the Treasury for $51,887.31 — making good on his promise to pay for the "expenses of my travel on private charter planes" and ensuring tax payers don't "pay a dime for my seat on those planes."
"I regret the concerns this has raised regarding the use of taxpayer dollars," Price said in a statement Thursday. "All of my political career I’ve fought for the taxpayers. It is clear to me that in this case, I was not sensitive enough to my concern for the taxpayer."
Price is not the only member of the president's Cabinet to come under fire for using a private jet for government travel. Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt have also chartered jets on the taxpayer’s dime since the start of the Trump administration.
Since being confirmed to his position in February , Price was tasked with heralding Republican efforts to repeal and replace Obamacare through Congress. Those attempts repeatedly failed, most recently when the Graham-Cassidy health care bill couldn't garner enough GOP support to make it to the floor for a vote.
Friday was not the first time Trump threatened his job.
In a July speech to the Boy Scout Jamboree in West Virginia, Trump joked about Price's efforts on health care. "You gonna get the votes?" he asked Price, who replied that he hoped so.
IMHO, Price resigned from a position he never should have had in the first place, as he is totally unfit for the position. There were plenty of other Republicans who are more capable for the requirements of the position than Price. Hopefully, this time around Trump will use one of them, even if they are not one of his millionaire buddies or business associates.
IMO, Trump has yet to learn that there is more to properly running a country than a Golf Course or hotel. If he can't learn that in a hurry, he may find the locks to the Oval office had been changed. He cannot continue to run the Oval office as he has "The Apprentice" and find success as President. I am sure he is truly angry with the fact that he cannot fire Congress, as clearly he does not like the idea he cannot call all the shots and has to share the authority of governing with Congress.
Tom Price has reeked smug entitlement since was nominated to that position and appeared at his confirmation hearings.
He's unethical, AND that was known before Trump nominated him. The revolving door in Trump's White House and cabinet is unprecedented this early in a term, highlighting the corruption and incompetence.
Only 3 years and 7 weeks or so until Trump can be voted out.
Only 3 years and 7 weeks or so until Trump can be voted out.
I very much doubt that he will last that long. If his total ineptness, big loud arrogant mouth, and his disdain for our allies does not do him in, his many ethical and legal woes will do it. Very likely before his sees much of his second year. There are many more Republicans who are fr more worthy of the Oval Office desk and chair than Trump, and he himself will prove his own unworthiness.
When you look down of the government which you swore to protect and preserve, as well as the other entities that are involved in doing just that, you cannot hold the Golden Goose to steal the Golden Egg for long.
It's been a minute, but I believe the Mueller investigations will heat up again at some point. Then we'll see Trump's days numbered as well. Spicer, Bannon, Flynn, and the rest of the ex-swamp dwellers are just the opening acts. The real show will be the Trump-Kushner Show.
I agree, Black Arrow. And I see now where Trump is having second thoughts about having family members on his WH staff. He is using the ruse that it is not going well for them, but, in reality, he now realizes that the controversy and criticism they are causing with their elitist behavior is not going well for him. While he can't necessarily treat his own family members like he does his other staff, he will in one way or another get them out of the WH as well.
Nepotism has not really worked all that well in the WH. A fact that Trump is finally finding out the hard way. Kuchner's Russian association has now added even more fuel to Trump's own involvement, and put them both in a very unfavorable spotlight. One that Trump does not like cause he can't be in charge of the lighting to make him look good.
So, indeed, it will be interesting to see where it goes from here, and how many Republicans he desperately needs to will continue to back him up.
Yes, Raven, you might be correct about the nepotism not looking so appealing lately. Even if Trump finds a way to diminish or eliminate the Kushner-Ivanka private-server/emails/Russian connections he'll still have his own Russian connection to explain.
It is my thinking that, as it has now come to the forefront of the two of them bringing so much negative press, especially, Kuchner, at such a sensitive time for Trump and his own Russian and other ethical probes, he is anxious to quickly clear the field of anything that make it easier for the Feds and Ethics Committee to prove his own involvement. Kuchner is as much of an an arrogant fool as his Father-In-Law and used to living by his own rules, so it is hard from him to have to bother with compliance of government and WH rules. And Trump knows all too well that it very well could be the ignorance of his Son-In-Law will be his own Achilles heel. Then no one can help save him.
As the old saying goes, "We get too soon old and too late smart."
He took a trip on a plane when he shouldn't have. He resigned. End of story!
No, not a trip, but, many, $400,000.00 worth of trips on Charter planes at the tax payers expense. Then he generously (cough) offered to reimburse the taxpayers a mere $52,000.00 of that $400,000.00 total expense. The fact that he is worth more than 8 million dollars makes that offered rather unfair.
That he resigned is only because he can save a bit of face instead of the embarrassment of being fired by the President of the US.
Maybe, I just joined today and this is my first post but I've been checking it out for a couple days and it seems cool. Just different after nearly a decade on Newsvine.
Welcome zukdam! Happy to have you join us here on NT. Most here on NT are respectful and tolerant folk, although, like other forum, there are some who aren't so. But, you will soon find out which ones are which and who to either ignore or fight with. We do have moderation here on NT, and the rules of the CoC, which are meant to maintain civility among the Members.
I hope you will find NT an acceptable new home and enjoy your stay with us. (smile)
I still find it hard to believe that Newsvine will be no longer. Seeing is believing; so until it actually happens I remain skeptical. Thanks for the warm welcome people. Glad more people are signing on to this site.
I still find it hard to believe that Newsvine will be no longer
I was a member of NV for many years, it was actually my first forum of that kind that I joined. I found it a very nice place and had a good many Friends there. But, when they switched the format from the one that was easy and user friendly to the much more confusing and complex one, I wasn't as active as I once had been.
When I was invited to try NT I found it very comfortable and easy to use, and....there were some of my Friends from NV here as well. So I stayed with NT. I kept my account there for some time and checked in about once a week just to see how things were and keep up with my old Friends there. I was sorry to see it take a turn for the worse and knew would never go back and finally deleted my account there.
But, I am happy to see some of my old Friends coming over to NT now, and having the chance to meet new people who are now coming here to NT. (smile)
WASHINGTON — Tom Price resigned Friday as President Donald Trump's Health and Human Services Secretary, after days of public outcry over his use of private jets to conduct government business, costing taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Before the White House announced the resignation, Trump referred to the secretary's fate as he departed the White House for Bedminster, New Jersey, calling Price a "fine man" but reiterating his displeasure about his use of private jets for multiple trips on government business .
"I don't like the optics," Trump said.
Price's 261 days in office make him the shortest-ever serving Health and Human Services Secretary, including among leaders in the years when the agency was still known as the Department of Health, Education and Welfare (1953-1979) and when it was part of the Federal Security Agency (1939-1953).
His exodus is the latest in a string of high-profile departures from the Trump administration — many of which have happened on Fridays. White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer resigned on a Friday in July, followed one Friday later by Chief of Staff Reince Priebus . Two weeks later, Steve Bannon, the president's chief strategist, was also out .
On Thursday, Price said he would pay taxpayers back and promised to "take no more private charter flights as Secretary of HHS. No exceptions."
A department spokeswoman told NBC News that Price would write a personal check to the Treasury for $51,887.31 — making good on his promise to pay for the "expenses of my travel on private charter planes" and ensuring tax payers don't "pay a dime for my seat on those planes."
"I regret the concerns this has raised regarding the use of taxpayer dollars," Price said in a statement Thursday. "All of my political career I’ve fought for the taxpayers. It is clear to me that in this case, I was not sensitive enough to my concern for the taxpayer."
Price is not the only member of the president's Cabinet to come under fire for using a private jet for government travel. Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt have also chartered jets on the taxpayer’s dime since the start of the Trump administration.
Since being confirmed to his position in February , Price was tasked with heralding Republican efforts to repeal and replace Obamacare through Congress. Those attempts repeatedly failed, most recently when the Graham-Cassidy health care bill couldn't garner enough GOP support to make it to the floor for a vote.
Friday was not the first time Trump threatened his job.
In a July speech to the Boy Scout Jamboree in West Virginia, Trump joked about Price's efforts on health care. "You gonna get the votes?" he asked Price, who replied that he hoped so.
"You better," Trump said. "Otherwise I'll say: 'Tom, you're fired!'"
IMHO, Price resigned from a position he never should have had in the first place, as he is totally unfit for the position. There were plenty of other Republicans who are more capable for the requirements of the position than Price. Hopefully, this time around Trump will use one of them, even if they are not one of his millionaire buddies or business associates.
IMO, Trump has yet to learn that there is more to properly running a country than a Golf Course or hotel. If he can't learn that in a hurry, he may find the locks to the Oval office had been changed. He cannot continue to run the Oval office as he has "The Apprentice" and find success as President. I am sure he is truly angry with the fact that he cannot fire Congress, as clearly he does not like the idea he cannot call all the shots and has to share the authority of governing with Congress.
Just my own opinion.
Tom Price has reeked smug entitlement since was nominated to that position and appeared at his confirmation hearings.
He's unethical, AND that was known before Trump nominated him. The revolving door in Trump's White House and cabinet is unprecedented this early in a term, highlighting the corruption and incompetence.
Only 3 years and 7 weeks or so until Trump can be voted out.
I very much doubt that he will last that long. If his total ineptness, big loud arrogant mouth, and his disdain for our allies does not do him in, his many ethical and legal woes will do it. Very likely before his sees much of his second year. There are many more Republicans who are fr more worthy of the Oval Office desk and chair than Trump, and he himself will prove his own unworthiness.
When you look down of the government which you swore to protect and preserve, as well as the other entities that are involved in doing just that, you cannot hold the Golden Goose to steal the Golden Egg for long.
Just my own opinion.
It's been a minute, but I believe the Mueller investigations will heat up again at some point. Then we'll see Trump's days numbered as well. Spicer, Bannon, Flynn, and the rest of the ex-swamp dwellers are just the opening acts. The real show will be the Trump-Kushner Show.
I agree, Black Arrow. And I see now where Trump is having second thoughts about having family members on his WH staff. He is using the ruse that it is not going well for them, but, in reality, he now realizes that the controversy and criticism they are causing with their elitist behavior is not going well for him. While he can't necessarily treat his own family members like he does his other staff, he will in one way or another get them out of the WH as well.
Nepotism has not really worked all that well in the WH. A fact that Trump is finally finding out the hard way. Kuchner's Russian association has now added even more fuel to Trump's own involvement, and put them both in a very unfavorable spotlight. One that Trump does not like cause he can't be in charge of the lighting to make him look good.
So, indeed, it will be interesting to see where it goes from here, and how many Republicans he desperately needs to will continue to back him up.
Just a thought.
Yes, Raven, you might be correct about the nepotism not looking so appealing lately. Even if Trump finds a way to diminish or eliminate the Kushner-Ivanka private-server/emails/Russian connections he'll still have his own Russian connection to explain.
It is my thinking that, as it has now come to the forefront of the two of them bringing so much negative press, especially, Kuchner, at such a sensitive time for Trump and his own Russian and other ethical probes, he is anxious to quickly clear the field of anything that make it easier for the Feds and Ethics Committee to prove his own involvement. Kuchner is as much of an an arrogant fool as his Father-In-Law and used to living by his own rules, so it is hard from him to have to bother with compliance of government and WH rules. And Trump knows all too well that it very well could be the ignorance of his Son-In-Law will be his own Achilles heel. Then no one can help save him.
As the old saying goes, "We get too soon old and too late smart."
He took a trip on a plane when he shouldn't have. He resigned. End of story!
No, not a trip, but, many, $400,000.00 worth of trips on Charter planes at the tax payers expense. Then he generously (cough) offered to reimburse the taxpayers a mere $52,000.00 of that $400,000.00 total expense. The fact that he is worth more than 8 million dollars makes that offered rather unfair.
That he resigned is only because he can save a bit of face instead of the embarrassment of being fired by the President of the US.
The real "End of story".
Hey what's up all my Newsvine junkie friends. Is this our new home away from home?
p.s. - For the record....The Trump Syndicate sux!
Welcome to NewsTalkers, Black Arrow! Glad to have you join us here on NT. I hope you enjoy it as much as we do. (smile)
Maybe, I just joined today and this is my first post but I've been checking it out for a couple days and it seems cool. Just different after nearly a decade on Newsvine.
Welcome zukdam! Happy to have you join us here on NT. Most here on NT are respectful and tolerant folk, although, like other forum, there are some who aren't so. But, you will soon find out which ones are which and who to either ignore or fight with. We do have moderation here on NT, and the rules of the CoC, which are meant to maintain civility among the Members.
I hope you will find NT an acceptable new home and enjoy your stay with us. (smile)
I still find it hard to believe that Newsvine will be no longer. Seeing is believing; so until it actually happens I remain skeptical. Thanks for the warm welcome people. Glad more people are signing on to this site.
I was a member of NV for many years, it was actually my first forum of that kind that I joined. I found it a very nice place and had a good many Friends there. But, when they switched the format from the one that was easy and user friendly to the much more confusing and complex one, I wasn't as active as I once had been.
When I was invited to try NT I found it very comfortable and easy to use, and....there were some of my Friends from NV here as well. So I stayed with NT. I kept my account there for some time and checked in about once a week just to see how things were and keep up with my old Friends there. I was sorry to see it take a turn for the worse and knew would never go back and finally deleted my account there.
But, I am happy to see some of my old Friends coming over to NT now, and having the chance to meet new people who are now coming here to NT. (smile)