US Vice President JD Vance’s 41st birthday kayaking trip on Ohio’s Little Miami River prompted the US Secret Service to request a temporary increase in water levels to ensure safe navigation for motorised craft and emergency personnel, according to a report first published by The Guardian.
The move drew swift criticism, with opponents calling it a symbol of entitlement, especially in light of the Trump administration’s emphasis on cutting government spending. “It’s outrageous for the Army corps of engineers to spend taxpayer money to increase water flow in a river so @VP can go canoeing when budget cuts to the National Park Service have severely impacted family vacations for everyone else,” wrote Richard W. Painter, former chief White House ethics lawyer under President George W. Bush, on X.
The Army Corps of Engineers did not comment on the cost of the operation. Spokesperson Gene Pawlik said the Louisville District increased outflows from Caesar Creek Lake on August 1 to support Secret Service operations, noting the action met standard criteria and did not negatively affect water levels. “Downstream stakeholders were notified in advance of the slight outflow increase,” he added. Vance’s birthday was on August 2.
Vance’s spokesperson Parker Magid said the vice president was unaware of the water level adjustment. “The Secret Service often employs protective measures without the knowledge of the Vice President or his staff, as was the case last weekend,” he said via text.
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources confirmed that two natural resources officers assisted the Secret Service during the event. Caesar Creek Lake, a 2,830-acre reservoir, features five launch ramps and an unlimited horsepower designation, along with a marina, campground, and lodge.
The Vance family has previously received exclusive access during international travel, including private tours of the Roman Colosseum and the Taj Mahal, both closed to the public during their visits.
Such privileges have precedent across party lines. In 1999, Democratic Vice President Al Gore’s campaign faced backlash after utility officials released 4 billion gallons of water to raise the Connecticut River for a photo op. That request also followed a Secret Service review, and Gore’s team insisted he had not asked for the release.
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With inputs from Associated Press
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