The Trader Harbor
  • Business
  • Politics
  • World News
  • Stocks
  • Business
  • Politics
  • World News
  • Stocks

The Trader Harbor

Politics

Biden admin spent hefty sum of US tax dollars to upgrade embassy swimming pools in Iraq, Russia

by admin July 21, 2025
July 21, 2025
Biden admin spent hefty sum of US tax dollars to upgrade embassy swimming pools in Iraq, Russia

The Biden administration’s State Department authorized more than $1 million in taxpayer funds for renovating swimming pools at U.S. embassies and mission residences in war-torn countries such as Haiti, Sudan and Iraq, a report from Sen. Joni Ernst’s office found. 

‘The Biden State Department threw a blowout summer pool party on your dime,’ Ernst, R-Iowa, said in a statement provided to Fox News Digital.

‘Bureaucrats might think wasting millions is a drop in the bucket, but I am sick and tired of taxpayers getting tossed in the deep end by Washington,’ Ernst added. ‘I will continue working with the Trump administration to put a stop to the splashy spending of the Biden years.’  

Ernst’s office found that the State Department under the Biden administration authorized that two pools in Haiti, five in Iraq, three in Sudan, one in Russia, one in Zimbabwe and one in Ghana be renovated, totaling more than $1.2 million, according to the New York Post, which first reported on the pool renovations on Thursday. 

Taxpayers spent $41,259 to rehabilitate the pool at the U.S. embassy in Moscow in a contract inked three months after Russia invaded Ukraine in a war that has continued raging. The purchase order was dated June 3, 2022, through Aug. 15, 2022, after the war began in February that same year. 

The U.S. embassy in Baghdad was awarded a whopping $444,000 to replace its indoor dehumidification system for its pool in a contract that began on Sept. 27, 2024. While the U.S. Consulate in Erbil, Iraq received over $10,000 to conduct mechanical repairs to its pool, according to the Ernst report reviewed by Fox News Digital. 

In Sudan, taxpayers spent $24,000 in 2021 for the installation of a pool deck. Sudan has notably been under a State Department do not travel advisory ‘due to armed conflict, civil unrest, crime, terrorism, and kidnapping,’ with the embassy in Khartoum suspending operations in 2023 over the ongoing violent conflicts in the nation. 

Some of the contracts detailed in the report have not been fully paid out, such as a $173,000 award to conduct work on a swimming pool in Indonesia at the embassy in Jakarta. 

The federal government has previously been criticized for the amount of taxpayer funds spent on U.S. embassies overseas, including spending hefty sums on artwork under the Obama administration, Fox Digital reported at the time. 

U.S. embassies are primarily funded through congressional appropriations to the U.S. Department of State. 

Ernst’s report follows months of the Department of Government Efficiency reporting it has saved the federal government billions of dollars amid its ongoing investigations into various federal agencies in search of corruption, overspending and mismanagement. 

Secretary of State Marco Rubio has been at the forefront of gutting departments and programs under State’s purview, including shuttering USAID earlier in July for failing to ensure its programs actually supported America’s interests. 

‘This era of government-sanctioned inefficiency has officially come to an end. Under the Trump administration, we will finally have a foreign funding mission in America that prioritizes our national interests. As of July 1st, USAID will officially cease to implement foreign assistance. Foreign assistance programs that align with administration policies – and which advance American interests – will be administered by the State Department, where they will be delivered with more accountability, strategy, and efficiency,’ Rubio said in comment regarding shuttering USAID. 

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS

0
FacebookTwitterGoogle +Pinterest
previous post
Trump heads to Scotland, continues ironing out trade deals after notching six months back in office
next post
Trump celebrates 6 months back in office: US ‘totally revived’ after being ‘DEAD’ under Biden

Related Posts

Nigel Farage’s return to politics causes wrinkle in...

July 5, 2024

Republicans accuse Biden, Schumer of emboldening Iran prior...

April 19, 2024

When it comes to ID, it’s time to...

May 1, 2025

House committee sets up vote to expand Section...

April 12, 2024

Europe tight-lipped following Hegseth, Vance ‘loathing’ text exchange

March 26, 2025

Trump says US will ‘take a pass’ on...

April 19, 2025

Trump says ‘we need Greenland for international safety...

March 27, 2025

Federal judge skeptical of effort to block Musk’s...

February 18, 2025

Rubio reveals obscure Biden administration office kept ‘disinformation’...

May 1, 2025

Biden’s SOTU blasted as ‘nakedly partisan’ campaign speech:...

March 8, 2024

    Stay updated with the latest news, exclusive offers, and special promotions. Sign up now and be the first to know! As a member, you'll receive curated content, insider tips, and invitations to exclusive events. Don't miss out on being part of something special.


    By opting in you agree to receive emails from us and our affiliates. Your information is secure and your privacy is protected.

    Latest

    • Ben & Jerry’s co-founder resigns, claiming parent company Unilever ‘silenced’ its campaigning

      September 21, 2025
    • The Real Drivers of This Market: AI, Semis & Robotics

      September 21, 2025
    • S&P 500 Breaking Out Again: What This Means for Your Portfolio

      September 21, 2025
    • Trump caps UK trip with $350B tech pact, heads to Arizona for Kirk’s memorial service

      September 21, 2025
    • How AI browsers open the door to new scams

      September 21, 2025
    • WATCH: Defiant Kash Patel says he’s ‘proud’ to lead FBI after explosive hearing

      September 21, 2025

    Categories

    • Business (1,388)
    • Politics (4,539)
    • Stocks (1,661)
    • Uncategorized (45)
    • World News (1,381)
    • About us
    • Contact us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions

    Disclaimer: TheTraderHarbor, its managers, its employees, and assigns (collectively “The Company”) do not make any guarantee or warranty about what is advertised above. Information provided by this website is for research purposes only and should not be considered as personalized financial advice. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendation. Any investments recommended here should be taken into consideration only after consulting with your investment advisor and after reviewing the prospectus or financial statements of the company.

    Copyright © 2025 thetraderharbor.com | All Rights Reserved