Donald Trump’s austerity measures are causing a major stir in the United States and internationally. But while he cuts social benefits and governmental authorities, his own staff do not take resource conservation quite as seriously. Trump’s Vice President, JD Vance, even raised the water level of a river with the help of U.S. soldiers for a family boat trip. Officially, this was said to be for security reasons… Normally, when the U.S. Army is called for a special operation, it’s in response to a natural disaster or a national incident.
This time, however, it was Trump’s Vice President who wanted to take a pleasant canoe trip with his family. U.S. Army Engineers in Action Vance’s staff called in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers — a branch of the U.S. Army specializing in civil engineering services — to modify the outlet of the Little Miami River at Caesar Creek State Park in Ohio to allow Vance and his family to take a boat trip as part of their family vacation.
A request from The Guardian was confirmed by the U.S. Army. The operation was carried out “to support the safe navigation of the U.S. Vice President’s security detail.” According to various social media posts, Vance was canoeing along the Little Miami River on August 2, his 41st birthday.
The British newspaper cited a source “familiar with the matter” who said the water level adjustment also served to ensure “ideal conditions” for the canoe trip. “Are You Serious?” On U.S. government-critical websites and blogs, the incident has already caused a certain level of outrage. “There is simply no end to the corruption of this government,” said the U.S. media network MediasTouch.
“Public funds are being used to raise the water level of a river for a birthday kayaking trip. Are you serious?” Data from the U.S. Geological Survey confirm the unusual change in water levels. So far, there has been no statement from Vance’s office. The Secret Service, responsible for personal protection, said briefly that it had coordinated with local authorities to “create plans to ensure that motorized boats and rescue workers could operate safely during a recent visit.”
Trump himself recently floated Vance as his possible successor. When journalists asked if Vance was the heir to the political movement he inspired, Trump said last Tuesday in Washington: “Well, I think most likely.” The U.S. president also suggested that Vance could run as part of a Republican ticket in the 2028 elections alongside Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
