Pressed for space and fresh out of shabby-chic options on Airbnb, the U.S. Military is hoping to move into Trump Tower. Speaking with CNN last night, Lt. Col. J.B. Brindle said the Defense Department needs the real estate "for the personnel and equipment who will support the POTUS at his residence in the building."
"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," Brindle continued.
While the Defense Department setting up shop inside, or very close to, a president's private residence is historically precedented, the Times keenly notes that were the military to lease space inside of Trump Tower, government funds, collected from American taxpayers, would go directly into the president's real estate business. Shortly after Trump's election in November, the Secret Service also looked into renting space inside Trump Tower, but ultimately abandoned the idea.
Speaking with CNN, Jared Horowitz, a real estate agent in charge of leasing open space in Trump Tower, quoted $1.5 million per year for an open floor ranging from 13,000 to 15,500 square feet.
If military officials do eventually move into Trump Tower, they'll be vey well-protected. Trump's 5th Avenue residence and commercial flagship is surrounded by a maze of closed streets, concrete and metal barricades, checkpoints, and NYPD officers, all of which currently costs the city of New York an estimated $500,000 daily.
