10/3/17 – Selective Outrage

Two jet scandals. Two different responses.

Here’s what’s happening behind the headlines.

Tom Price resigned as HHS Secretary for leasing jets for official business and using military jets for official overseas travel.  Federal regulations require the use of commercial airliners, when possible.

The media firestorm [here, here, here, here] contributed to — if not caused — Price’s resignation.

But in 2014, there was different response to another jet scandal.

According to the GAO, in the first three years of the Obama Administration, Attorney-General Eric Holder, FBI Director Robert Mueller and other presidential appointees used government aircraft nearly 400 times for personal travel and unofficial trips.  Not official travel.  Personal travel.  Government aircraft are not for personal use under any circumstances.

395 times taxpayers footed the bill — at nearly $8 million just in aircraft operating costs — so Holder, Mueller and others could go on vacation.  Or whatever improper reason they chose.

Holder admitted to the inappropriate use of government aircraft on 31 occasions — 27 for personal trips.

The media response to all of this.

No outrage. No calls to reimburse taxpayers.  No demand for resignations.

Different party. Different president. Same liberal media.

Behind the Headlines was among few that reported this scandal.

 

You can follow Behind the Headlines on Twitter at @BehindTheHead.
You can follow Mark on Twitter at @MarkHyman.
Join us on our Facebook page.