Mike Pence's Stay At Trump Golf Club In Ireland Draws Criticism From Democrats, One Calling It 'Corrupt'

Vice President Mike Pence stayed at Trump International Golf Club in Doonbeg, Ireland, on a two-day visit to the country, drawing from Democrats who say that the visit uses tax dollars to make the president richer.

Pence's Ireland trip included official meetings with European officials in the capital, Dublin, which is 180 miles away. Pence would have to fly one hour each way to and from Doonbeg to Dublin.

Democratic Rep. Ted Lieu of California tweeted Tuesday that staying on a Trump property for the visit is "funneling taxpayer money to the POTUS" and that it is "sooooooo corrupt."

The Democratic National Committee also tweeted: "Your tax dollars: making the Trump family richer."

"While the president is making appearances at his Virginia golf club, the vice president is making appearances at his Ireland golf club. Because the priority is always making Trump money," the Citizens for Ethics government watchdog said.

Members of Pence's staff defended the move, saying that the visit is partially a family one, as the Pence family has ancestral ties to Doonbeg. Pence's wife, sister and mother traveled with him to Doonbeg, as Pence's great-grandmother is from the town.

Pence's chief of staff Marc Short told reporters Tuesday that Pence paid for his sister and mother to stay at the Trump resort, but Pence himself was staying there thanks to taxpayer money. Short said that the facility was one of the only properties in the area that had been vetted for security purposes.

Short said that Trump himself suggested Pence stay at his property in Doonbeg. "It's wasn't like you must," Short said. "It wasn't like 'you have to.' Keep in mind, the Secret Service has protected that facility for him, too, so they sort of know the realities, they know the logistics around that facility."

Trump has been criticized for possibly violating the Emoluments Clause of the Constitution and that he is using the presidency to enrich himself. Attorney General William Barr recently booked Trump's 200-person D.C. hotel for a holiday party, which means $30,000 would flow into the Trump Organization.

Although Trump turned over the Trump Organization to his sons before the presidency began, critics say that his business empire could be influencing his decisions as president. One example is Trump's insistence that the Federal Reserve lowers interest rates, which would allow Trump's company to save millions on its loans.