Could the President of the United States hire private security staff?

[Ravenman]

@Slash1972

Can you point out where in Post #56 that you state it is a violation of the Antideficiency Law, which is what you said prevented these types of purchases?

And per your own cite, the Army didn’t ban them because of illegal augmentation of appropriated funds, which was originally the crux of your argument. I guess we are moving goal posts now.

I never said that the ADA prohibited such purchases. Since we’re to the point that you’ve twice attempted to insert words in my mouth, and you haven’t provided a single citation for any substantive claim (other than providing a subchapter in support of the absurd notion that where a law is codified in the US Code limits the applicability of its plain text), this thread is all yours from now on.

[Slash1972]

@Ravenman

Because the use of personal funds for activities which the government has responsibility for is an illegal augmentation of appropriations under the Antideficiency Act.

Isn’t this you? didn’t you say this? I would think using personal funds to purchase body armor would be “the use of personal funds for activities which the government has responsibility for” And as you can see, you CLEARLY said that would be an illegal augmentation of appropriations under the Antideficiency Act.

I don’t need to put words in your mouth, when citing your own words demonstrates your inability to read/comprehend US Code, and your ability to move goal posts when confronted with facts.

[runningdude]

@Donnerwetter

In light of the recent troubles with the Secret Service, would it be legal for the President to hire his own security personnel (and eventually pay them out of his own pocket)? For instance, if the President wants someone to check once in a while if the front door of the White House is locked or maybe to hire a pensioner to chase the occasional loiterer off the front lawn, could he do that?

The President is responsible for appointing the leadership of the Secret Service, and is ultimately responsible for the agency’s conduct. While the President could certainly hire his own guards, if he were not diligent in who he hired, his private guards could have just as many issues as his public guards.

[runningdude]

@Flyer

There’s one other issue besides the money. The Secret Service, by virtue of its responsibility towards the president, is in a unique position to ignore or disobey presidential orders.

Based on what I have read, SS agents will very reluctantly go along with certain things that they would rather not, but I’m sure that there comes a point when they would say, “I’m sorry, but we can’t obey that order.”

That is simply not true. The President can dismiss his guards at will, though it would generally be irresponsible to do so (and would likely trigger congressional hearings). The President is the chief executive, and the Secret Service are employees of the executive branch. Absent legislative intervention, the phrase “I’m sorry, but we can’t obey that order,” would be met with administrative sanctions or federal charges.

The only exception would be during an actual emergency, where the secret service agents would bodily remove the President from harm’s way regardless of protest. Even then, the guards would have to be on duty when the incident began.

[Elendil_s_Heir]

Correct. This Staff Report touches on some of these issues: Is the Secret Service responsible for keeping the president from getting drunk? - The Straight Dope

[Si_Amigo]

@Ravenman

Let’s just cut to the chase and have you provide a cited argument that provides the basis for the President to hire his own praetorian guard outside of government oversight. I’ve provided my cites to the GAO opinion on augmentation of appropriations, the USSS statute, and for good measure the limits on what Batman may do for the Federal government.

Cite

[Slash1972]

I don’t think the President is paying that guy out of his own pocket. Seems like a government position.

[friedo]

@Si_Amigo

Cite

Keith Schiller is a government employee (Director of Oval Office Operations) and while his job in the past may have included being a bodyguard, it doesn’t now.