Another Obama trip, another $7.9 million spent

Obama’s tab for the jaunt to Ireland, including a side trip for Michelle Obama and those traveling with her, has been released – and it’s a hefty one.

Airfare alone for the group to, from and around Ireland in June of last year cost over $7.6 million, according to Department of Homeland Security information obtained by Judicial Watch released Wednesday.

On top of that, DHS documents show “security and/or other services” for the first lady and her entourage’s Dublin side trip cost $251,161.86, which included $55,004.85 at the Shelbourne Hotel and $70,855.44 at the Westbury Hotel, and rental car charges of $114,721.

The first family traveled to Ireland together, but Judicial Watch outlined the first lady’s side trip, reporting:

After accompanying the president to a meeting with Northern Ireland youth on the morning of June 17, the First Lady, her daughters, and her entourage departed on their own, apparently aboard Air Force Two, for a sightseeing side trip to Dublin. Though the White House claimed the trip was for diplomatic purposes, WashingtonDossier.com reported the itinerary showed, “She and her daughters will visit the Trinity College library to explore President Obama’s Irish family roots, attend a performance by the world-famous Riverdance troupe, and visit the Wicklow Mountains national forest.”
Both the Shelbourne and Westbury are described on their respective websites as “5-star” hotels, according to Judicial Watch.

All information was obtained through a Freedom of Information lawsuit filed by Judicial Watch on January 13, 2014.

“It is clear that the Obamas’ abused the perk of the president’s official trip to the G-8 summit for a luxury European vacation at taxpayer expense,” Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton said. “And it is shameful that it took a federal lawsuit to obtain this information. Transparency goes by the wayside for the Obamas when it comes to covering up their abuse of taxpayer resources.”