RFK Jr. Used $9,000-an-Hour Military Jet for Iowa GOP Campaigning
Updated
Updated · The Washington Post · Sep 11
RFK Jr. Used $9,000-an-Hour Military Jet for Iowa GOP Campaigning
1 articles · Updated · The Washington Post · Sep 11
Summary
An Air Force-operated Gulfstream flew Robert F. Kennedy Jr. from the Washington area to Des Moines on Aug. 17, matching his schedule for appearances with Iowa Republican candidates ahead of the midterms.
Five people said the White House and HHS lawyers approved Kennedy’s access to military aircraft, which officials defended as occasional and tied to his heavy schedule, public profile and security threats.
The Pentagon charges about $9,000 an hour for that jet, versus roughly $250 for a commercial Washington-Des Moines ticket under the federal travel program.
Richard Painter, former chief White House ethics lawyer under George W. Bush, said Cabinet officials outside defense or foreign policy should use such aircraft only exceptionally and not for political events.
The practice marks a break from Trump’s first term, when HHS Secretary Tom Price was forced out over private-jet travel; Kennedy has become a visible surrogate as Republicans target competitive Iowa races.