Cory Booker and 30 Congress Members Among Latest Politicians Seen Out Amid Government Shutdown

As the partial government shutdown sets new records with no end in sight, TMZ continues to exploit politicians’ whereabouts as Americans grow more and more frustrated.

After government agencies within the Department of Homeland Security were shut down February 14 due to disagreements between Democrats and Republicans, the outlet began publishing photos of government officials gallivanting around the United States despite constant reports of airport delays dominating the headlines.

Most notably, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) was photographed at Disney World over the weekend, where he reportedly vacationed from March 27 to March 29, even though he said he was “invited to a meeting in South Florida on Friday with Trump official Steve Witkoff.”

In TMZ’s latest update, Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) was seen with his wife Alexis Lewis at a restaurant inside The London West Hollywood at Beverly Hills on Thursday, April 2, and it looks like they may have just finished a workout. Booker is allegedly staying at the chic hotel before he is scheduled to appear April 3 in Santa Monica for a book tour.

Rep. John James (R-Mich.) was photographed Wednesday, April 1, taking in the sun in Turks and Caicos, where he is allegedly on a family vacation.

The outlet also received photographs of multiple members of Congress reportedly on a trip to Scotland — that’s allegedly being funded by tax dollars — and making a stop at Edinburgh Castle.

Those identified on the trip include Rep. John McGuire (R-Va.), Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-Wis.), Rep. David Rouzer (R-N.C.), Rep. Claudia Tenney (R-N.Y.), Rep. Jason Smith (R-Mo.) and Rep. Bill Huizenga (R-Mich.).

A spokesperson for Van Orden told the outlet, “DVO is joining more than 30 other members of Congress on a delegation that was pre-approved by the House Ethics Committee months ago. The trip focuses on economic development, foreign partnerships, and business engagement, including meetings with members of Parliament and other international officials.”

Huizenga’s rep also told a local outlet it was a “long-planned, House Ethics-approved” trip.

Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.) was photographed earlier this week at his son’s basketball game.

When politicians are seen out and about amid the ongoing turmoil, “They are insulting our intelligence by thinking, ‘Oh, we can get over on them. I’m blaming it on the other party,’” TMZ founder Harvey Levin said in footage aired by CNN.

“It’s not ‘the other party’; it’s both parties,” Levin said, explaining that the news outlet will publish photos of both political sides who seem unaffected by the chaos. “And we are kind of sick of the way they are patronizing us, and that’s why we are doing this.”

“If you are watching this, and you see a senator out and about somewhere, especially somewhere on vacation, send them to us,” he advised. “Send it to the TMZ tipline.”

In recent days, TMZ also published photos of traveling politicians, including Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Rep. Robert Garcia (D-Calif.), Rep. Buddy Carter (R-Ga.), Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) and Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.).