The U.S. Secret Service worked with the Army Corps of Engineers to raise water levels in Caesar Creek Lake so Vice President JD Vance could enjoy a birthday canoe trip on the Little Miami River. The move, which some saw as a misuse of government resources, also caused local traffic delays. Critics argued it showed unfair treatment at a time when the Trump administration is making budget cuts.
Former Obama ethics official Norman Eisen strongly disagreed with the decision. He said, “While there may well be security-related explanations or justifications that come into the analysis, my reaction is: I don’t care. We shouldn’t be utilizing government resources in this way.”
Eisen added that even if the action didn’t technically break rules, it gave the impression that the vice president was receiving special treatment that ordinary citizens wouldn’t get if they wanted to use the same waters.
The Army Corps confirmed it increased water flow at the request of the Secret Service. Spokesperson Gene Pawlik explained that the decision followed normal guidelines.
“A request was received to temporarily increase outflows from Caesar Creek Lake to support safe navigation of U.S. Secret Service personnel,” Pawlik said. He added, “The operational criteria outlined in the Water Control Manual for Caesar Creek Lake met the operational criteria and did not require a deviation from normal procedures.”
He also said the change did not harm water levels upstream or downstream. Local stakeholders were told about the small increase in advance, which happened on August 1, 2025.
Democratic lawmakers criticized the move, saying it gave government officials unfair advantages. Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-OH) demanded the Army Corps share the Secret Service’s request with Congress, calling the situation “outrageous.”
Ethics lawyer Richard Painter also condemned the decision. He said, “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.”
