Morris County Reimbursed For Protecting President Trump

MORRIS COUNTY, NJ — The federal government has reimbursed the Morris County Sheriff's Office nearly $56,000 to cover overtime costs associated with protecting President Donald Trump during his New Jersey visits.

Trump frequently visits his Bedminster country club during the summers, and almost always flies in an out of Morristown Municipal Airport. During those visits, the Morris County Sheriff’s Emergency Response Team (SERT), K9 Section (explosive Detection Dogs), Motor Unit, Bomb Squad, and Special Operation Group work alongside Secret Service to protect the president.

The Morris County Sheriff's office was asked by the Secret Service to provide protection details for the president 17 times in 2018. When the protections were needed during normal business hours, there were no extra costs to the taxpayers; when the protections were needed outside of those hours, officers received overtime pay.

"It was very important to me, to seek available relief from the federal government, on behalf of the Morris County taxpayer, so as to not add an undue financial burden to our residents," Sheriff James Gannon said. "It is truly an honor to be requested by the Secret Service to aid in the protection of the leader of the free world, I am proud of all of our officers for the exemplary and professional manner in which they carried out these duties."

The $55,938.90 in reimbursements were provided under a federal grant known as the Fiscal Year 2019 Presidential Residence Protection Act. The grant approval was announced earlier this week, and covers the total overtime cost accrued by the Sheriff's Office.