Trump Said He'd Drain the Swamp. His Cabinet Spent Nearly $3 Million on Private Flights, $43K on a Soundproof Phone Booth, and $31K on Dining Room Furniture.

Resigned September 2017. Politico investigation revealed Price had spent nearly $1 million on charter and military flights for travel that included routine business and personal trips. A $17,000 charter to Tennessee for a brief speech with his son. Tens of thousands for a trip to Philadelphia. The administration claimed all trips were approved. Trump said he was "disappointed." Price was out within days of the story breaking.

Resigned July 2018 amid 14+ separate ethics investigations. Highlights: $900,000+ on private, charter, and first-class travel in his first year. A $43,000 soundproof phone booth installed in his office — despite a secure facility already existing two floors away. A $36,000 military jet to New York to catch a first-class flight to Rome. Round-the-clock 20-person security detail at enormous cost. Asked an aide to help his wife get a Chick-fil-A franchise. Used EPA staff to pick up dry cleaning. Spent 43 of 92 days out of his office.

Resigned December 2018 amid 18+ IG and congressional investigations. A $12,375 charter flight from Las Vegas to Montana on a plane owned by fossil fuel company executives — on a route with commercial flights available. The IG found the Knights hockey team had offered to reschedule so he could fly commercial; he took the charter anyway. $139,000 for new office doors. $14,000 on helicopter rides in DC to attend a horseback riding date with Pence. Brought his personal security detail on a two-week vacation to Greece and Turkey. Used Interior staff for VIP tours for donors.

Requested a government military plane for his European honeymoon, citing "secure communications" requirements. Took eight government jet trips in eight months totaling $800,000+. Flew with his wife to Fort Knox — the IG later noted that the declared purpose, viewing the solar eclipse, raised legitimate questions. His wife Louise Linton posted an Instagram photo bragging about designer labels worn during a government flight, sparking a public feud. Ultimately required to reimburse for his wife's travel portion after public outrage.

Ordered a $31,000 custom dining room set for his HUD office — a chair, table, and hutch — while his department was proposing billions in cuts to housing assistance for low-income Americans. HUD's budget authority limits office furniture spending to $5,000 without further approval. An employee who raised concerns about the spending later said she was demoted. Carson said his wife picked the furniture and he wasn't aware of the cost.

IG found he improperly accepted Wimbledon tennis tickets from a Wimbledon sponsor while on a taxpayer-funded Europe trip, and that his aide falsified an email to justify his wife's taxpayer-funded travel. The $122,000 Europe trip included significant sightseeing time. Shulkin was eventually fired (he says; the White House said he resigned) and replaced with a retired Navy doctor who had never run a large organization.