Donald Trump is being lobbied to make Puerto Rico an independent nation and save American taxpayers $617.8 billion, DailyMail.com has learned. At least two congressional offices are in possession of a seven-page draft 'executive order' on how the U.S. can help the island territory transition to independence.
One individual familiar with the document's origins said at least two members of Congress have a copy of the draft, which DailyMail.com has obtained and reviewed.
A source familiar with the document's existence disclosed that it is also in the possession of Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, Rep. Tom McClintock (R-Calif.) and potentially other Cabinet secretaries.
The source also claims staffers for the Senate Energy & Natural Resources Committee and a staffer for Rep. Tom Kean (R-N.J.) have already held or scheduled meetings about the draft executive order.
But a person familiar with Kean's office says that he has no had or planned any meetings on the issue of Puerto Rico independence or statehood. They noted that this is not an area of jurisdiction for the New Jersey congressman.
The committee has jurisdiction over issues relating to Puerto Rico and other U.S. territories. But committee officials did not reply to a request for comment.
The order appears to have been drawn up by a congressional office and leaders of Puerto Rico secessionist efforts, and not the White House.
But it is a clear effort to apply pressure on the White House to transition Puerto Rico out of its current status as a U.S. territory.
Trump has not indicated that he wants to rid the U.S. of the territory.
Poster Comment:
Puerto Rico was brought in after Spanish American War and WW I. We should have stayed out of those wars.