MARALAGO Act Aims to Stop Secret Service Payments to Presidents for Protection at Their Residences

This bill, officially the "Making Any Reimbursement Against the Law for Guarding Overnight Act" or "MARALAGO Act," gets straight to the point: it prohibits the U.S. Secret Service from using federal funds to pay for lodging, meals, office space, or other expenses directly to a President or their company when agents are protecting them at their personal residence. This rule applies to both current and former Presidents.

No More Rent Checks from the Detail

The core of this legislation, found in Section 2, is a clear restriction on spending. It means the Secret Service can't use taxpayer money to rent rooms, buy meals, lease office space, or cover any similar costs from businesses owned or controlled by the President (or ex-President) they are protecting at that President's residence. The goal appears to be preventing situations where federal funds designated for security end up flowing back as revenue to the person being protected.

Gifts Allowed, Payments Aren't

While direct payments using federal dollars are banned under this bill, there's a specific allowance made. The President, a former President, or an entity they control can choose to provide lodging, meals, office space, or cover other necessary expenses for the Secret Service detail as a gift. Essentially, the support can still be provided, but it can't be a transaction where taxpayer money changes hands and ends up with the protectee or their business.

Keeping Things Clear

The practical impact seems aimed at drawing a sharper ethical line. It seeks to eliminate the potential conflict of interest – or even the appearance of one – that arises when a President or former President financially benefits from the logistics of their own security detail. By blocking payments but allowing gifts, the bill tries to ensure protection needs are met without creating a revenue stream for the protectee funded by the agency guarding them.