Democrats criticize Pence for staying at Trump hotel in Ireland

SHANNON, Ireland, Sept 3 (Reuters) – U.S. Vice President Mike Pence drew criticism from Democrats on Tuesday when he began a two-day visit to Ireland with meetings in the capital, Dublin, but stayed at a hotel owned by President Donald Trump almost kilometers miles) away.

Pence flew to Dublin on Tuesday after spending the night at the Trump International Golf Club in Doonbeg on the west coast of Ireland. The hotel also hosted the Trump family during a short trip to Ireland by the president in June.

Asked if Trump had suggested Pence stay at the property, the vice president’s chief of staff, Marc Short, told journalists, “I think that it was a suggestion.”

“It’s like when we went through the trip it’s like,` Well, he’s going to Doonbeg because that is where his family is from, it’s like `oh, you should stay at my place ‘,” Short said. “It wasn’t like a` you must ‘. It wasn’t like a `you have to’.”

California Democratic Congressman Ted Lieu on Twitter accused Pence of “funneling taxpayer money” to Trump by staying at the hotel. “You took an oath to the Constitution, not to @realDonaldTrump,” Lieu said.

The Democratic National Committee also chimed in, saying in a post on its DNC War Room Twitter feed that Pence’s choice of hotel meant “your tax dollars: making the Trump family richer.”

Short said the original plan had been to hold meetings in Dublin and go to Doonbeg afterwards. A last-minute schedule change meant Pence would need to visit Dublin after over-nighting in Ireland, and no hotel in Dublin had been properly vetted.

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U.S. Vice President Mike Pence listens to Panama’s President Juan Carlos Varela while delivering a joint message at the Presidential Palace in Panama City, Panama, August 17, 2017. REUTERS / Carlos Lemos

Panama’s President Juan Carlos Varela (L) and U.S. Vice President Mike Pence deliver a joint message at the Presidential Palace in Panama City, Panama, August 17, 2017. REUTERS / Carlos Lemos

Panama’s deputy Foreign Minister Luis Hincapie (R) talks to U.S. Vice President Mike Pence upon his arrival to the Tocumen international airport in Panama City, Panama, August 17, 2017. REUTERS / Carlos Lemos

U.S. Vice President Mike Pence (R) shakes hands with Panama’s President Juan Carlos Varela after delivering a joint message at the Presidential Palace in Panama City, Panama, August 17, 2017. REUTERS / Carlos Lemos

Chile’s President Michelle Bachelet and U.S. Vice President Mike Pence meet at the government house in Santiago, Chile August 16, 2017 REUTERS / Esteban Felix / Pool

U.S. Vice President Mike Pence arrives to meet with Chile’s President Michelle Bachelet (not pictured) at the government house in Santiago, Chile August 16, 2017. REUTERS / Ivan Alvarado

U.S. Vice President Mike Pence and his wife Karen arrive at the International Airport of Santiago, Chile August 16, 2017. REUTERS / Rodrigo Garrido

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U.S. Vice President Mike Pence speaks next to Argentina’s President Mauricio Macri during a news conference at the Olivos Presidential Residence in Buenos Aires, Argentina August 15, 2017. REUTERS / Marcos Brindicci

Argentina’s President Mauricio Macri and U.S. Vice President Mike Pence shake hands at the Olivos Presidential Residence in Buenos Aires, Argentina August 15, 2017. REUTERS / Marcos Brindicci

Colombia’s President Juan Manuel Santos greets U.S. Vice President Mike Pence after his arrival in Cartagena, Colombia August 13, 2017. Colombian Presidency / Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS – THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY.

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Pence’s stay was paid for by the U.S. taxpayer, but the vice president personally paid for his sister and mother, who traveled with him, Short said. Pence’s great-grandmother was from Doonbeg.

Trump has retained ownership of his hotels, golf courses and other businesses, but he gave control of the businesses to his sons shortly before he took office in January 2017.

Former government ethics officials and watchdog groups say Trump has failed to put safeguards in place to ensure that he does not directly profit from his actions as president. (Reporting by Alex Alper, writing by Conor Humphries, editing by Larry King)