Vice President JD Vance's team instructed the Army Corps of Engineers to change the outflow of a river in Ohio so the water would be raised for his family's boating trip, The Guardian reported Wednesday.
The Corps stated that the operation on the Little Miami River was done to “support safe navigation” of Vance's security detail. However, according to the report, "One source with knowledge of the matter who communicated with the Guardian anonymously alleged that the outflow request for the Caesar Creek Lake was not just to support the vice-president’s Secret Service detail, but also to create 'ideal kayaking conditions'. The Guardian could not independently confirm this specific claim."
U.S. Geological Survey data shows that the river indeed rose sharply and then fell, timed perfectly with Vance's visit to the area.
This allegation "raises questions about whether Vance’s office was potentially exploiting public infrastructure resources for his personal recreation at a time when the Trump administration has cut billions of dollars in foreign aid, scientific research and government jobs as part of its 'efficiency' drive," noted the report.
"It is not unprecedented for the USACE to modify outflows to accommodate public use — for example, for use in community river events and training for emergency responders," the report continued; however, these operations are almost never done for the benefit of a person and their family.
It also comes amid scrutiny of other extravagant expenses approved under the Trump administration, including Trump's plans to add a massive $200 million ballroom wing onto the White House that is larger than the entire current structure — although the administration insists this will be funded by private donations and not taxpayer money.