Vice President Mike Pence met Tuesday with Irish leaders in the capital, Dublin, but stayed nearly 180 miles away. Why? Because – according to a top white house official – President Donald Trump urged him to stay at the Trump International Golf Club in Doonbeg – at the other end of the country. The move drew outrage among Congressional Democrats, who charge Trump with trying to personally profit from the presidency. California Democratic Congressman Ted Lieu accused Pence on Twitter of “funneling taxpayer money” to Trump by staying at the hotel, adding, “You took an oath to the Constitution, not to @realDonaldTrump.” Pence’s stay was paid for by U.S. taxpayers, the vice president’s chief of staff, Marc Short confirmed, but the vice president personally paid for his sister and mother who had traveled with him. When asked if Trump had suggested that Pence stay at the property, Short told journalists, “I think that it was a suggestion.” Pence defended the stay Tuesday.
