Vance had no idea Ohio river was raised for | Political News

JD Vance’s security element had an Ohio river’s water stage raised last weekend to accommodate his birthday kayaking journey.

The Vice President, whose home is in Cincinnati, and his household took half in a day of watersports to have fun his forty first birthday.

The U.S. Secret Service said it requested the elevated waterflow for the Little Miami River, first reported by The Guardian, to guarantee motorized watercraft and emergency personnel “could operate safely” while defending the Republican.

But critics immediately blasted the motion as a signal of the vice president’s entitlement, notably given the Trump administration’s focus on slashing authorities spending. It comes after Joe Rogan doubled down on a Donald Trump assassination conspiracy idea.

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 deal with any financial impression of raising the river.

Spokesman Gene Pawlik said the company’s Louisville District quickly elevated 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 transfer met operational standards and fell within regular follow.

“It was determined that the operations would not adversely affect downstream or upstream water levels,” he said in a assertion.

Downstream stakeholders have been notified in advance of the slight outflow increase, which occurred August 1, 2025.” Vance’s birthday was on Aug. 2.

Vance spokesman Taylor Van Kirk said the vice president was unaware the river had been raised.

“The Secret Service often employs protecting measures without the information of the Vice President or his employees, as was the case last weekend,” she said via textual content.

The sprawling 2,830-acre Caesar Creek Lake has an limitless horsepower designation and 5 launch ramps, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources web site. A marina, campground and lodge are also positioned on website.

The division offered two natural sources officers to help the Secret Service with the Vance event, spokesperson Karina Cheung said.

The Vance household has already change into accustomed to sure lodging being made as they transfer about the world.

During a current journey to Italy, the Roman Colosseum was closed to the public so that his spouse, Usha, and their kids may take a tour, sparking anger among some vacationers. The Taj Mahal also was closed to guests during the Vance household’s go to to India.

Such particular treatment is not reserved for one political celebration.

When Democratic Vice President Al Gore, then a presidential candidate, paddled down the Connecticut River for a photograph alternative in 1999, utility officers had opened a dam and launched 4 billion gallons of water to raise the river’s stage.

That request, too, got here after a review of the realm by the Secret Service – and Gore also skilled political pushback.

Gore’s marketing campaign said at the time that he didn’t ask for the water to be launched.