COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Vice President JD Vance’s security detail had an Ohio river’s water level raised last weekend to accommodate a kayaking trip he and his family took to celebrate his 41st birthday.
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The U.S. Secret Service said it requested the increased waterflow for the Little Miami River, first reported by The Guardian, to ensure motorized watercraft and emergency personnel “could operate safely” while protecting the Republican vice president, whose home is in Cincinnati.
But critics immediately blasted the action as a sign of the vice president’s entitlement, particularly given the Trump administration’s focus on slashing government spending.
Richard W. Painter, who served as chief White House ethics lawyer under President George W. Bush, said on X that “it’s outrageous for the Army corps of engineers to spend taxpayer money to increase water flow in a river so @VP can go canoeing when budget cuts to the National Park Service have severely impacted family vacations for everyone else.”
The Corps of Engineers declined to address any financial impact of raising the river. Spokesman Gene Pawlik said the agency’s Louisville District temporarily increased outflows from the Caesar Creek Lake in southwest Ohio into the Little Miami “to support safe navigation of U.S. Secret Service personnel.” He said the move met operational criteria and fell within normal practice.
“It was determined that the operations would not adversely affect downstream or upstream water levels,” he said in a statement. “Downstream stakeholders were notified in advance of the slight outflow increase, which occurred August 1, 2025.” Vance’s birthday was on Aug. 2.
Vance spokesman Parker Magid said the vice president was unaware the river had been raised.
“The Secret Service often employs protective measures without the knowledge of the Vice President or his staff, as was the case last weekend,” he said via text.
The sprawling 2,830-acre Caesar Creek Lake has an unlimited horsepower designation and five launch ramps, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources website. A marina, campground and lodge are also located on site. The department provided two natural resources officers to assist the Secret Service with the Vance event, spokesperson Karina Cheung said.
The Vance family has already become accustomed to certain accommodations being made as they move about the world. During a recent trip to Italy, the Roman Colosseum was closed to the public so that his wife, Usha, and their children could take a tour, sparking anger among some tourists. The Taj Mahal also was closed to visitors during the Vance family’s visit to India.
Such special treatment isn’t reserved for one political party.
When Democratic Vice President Al Gore, then a presidential candidate, paddled down the Connecticut River for a photo opportunity in 1999, utility officials had opened a dam and released 4 billion gallons of water to raise the river’s level. That request, too, came after a review of the area by the Secret Service — and Gore also experienced political pushback.
Gore’s campaign said at the time that he did not ask for the water to be released.
Who paid for all that work?
He better say thank you.
I didn’t know america payes per gallon for all their lakes and rivers, must be expensive.
the secret service did it, not Vance. But the lefties prefer to blame it on Vance.
With all the problems in this world, people have nothing else about which to complain?
They did not need to raise the water for kayaking, everyone can kayak as it is, but for the additional security craft needed higher water level. While I would love of they were able to reduce the cost of the security detail, the fact that there are terrorist’s attempting to kill American politicians, means it is absolutely necessary to take these extra precautions. Security costs money, but to raise the water level is just to adjust the flow of the river – which they are doing anyway to allow the kayaking to start with, so its hardly any additional work. Another mountain out of a molehill.
just replace kamala for jd and every tamei tumas maga would be screaming
Maybe they now would make a special effort and rescue all our hostages, innocent people kidnapped ?
How would you feel if it was you?
Scream out
Demand their freedom
Write your Senator, President Trump
Gaza belongs to Israel, part of Land God gave the Jewish People
Read all about it in the Holy Bible
BAAL TAVVA
This is done in Israel regularly. There’s a reservoir at the top of the Jordan River that’s opened when necessary to make the water safe for kayaking during the dry summer period.
Here the dems go again, looking or every problem, they cant stop , just leave them alone. the lefties are probably, spending more money looking out for problems.
Seriously? Get a life!
It doesnt cost money to raise the water level you just release the dam, they just dont release in dry season etc to preserve water but they are always releasing water for kayakers etc so basically its instead of keeping the water you let it go back to natural. in my opinion…
Associated Propaganda for the Democratic party losers.