Months have passed since Senator Rand Paul requested access to inspect the nation’s gold reserves at Fort Knox, with no apparent response from the Treasury Department and no progress on President Donald Trump’s widely publicized promise to audit the facility.
Trump announced in February that his administration would visit the Kentucky depository “to make sure the gold is there,” generating widespread attention about the facility housing approximately 147 million ounces of gold worth over $400 billion.
Related: Is It Time To Audit Fort Knox?
The initiative, backed by then-Department of Government Efficiency head Elon Musk and Paul, appeared to gain momentum when Trump declared aboard Air Force One: “We’re going to go to Fort Knox, the fabled Fort Knox, to make sure the gold is there.”
However, Paul requested Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent arrange an inspection visit, but months have passed with no Treasury response and no scheduled audit.
Bessent has maintained that regular audits already occur, telling Wisconsin radio in February: “We do an audit every year. All the gold is present and accounted for.” He offered to arrange inspections for interested senators, but no visits have been scheduled.
The last comprehensive public inspection of Fort Knox occurred in 1974, when Congress members and journalists were allowed inside. The Treasury Department’s inspector general conducts annual internal reviews.
Paul, whose father former Representative Ron Paul spent years advocating for Fort Knox audits, has argued the American people deserve verification of their national assets. The White House has not provided updates on audit plans. The Treasury Department has yet to comment on Paul’s inspection request.
From earlier: Why Trump and Musk Are Stirring Up Fort Knox Gold Drama
Official records show Fort Knox contains 147,341,858.382 troy ounces of gold, valued at approximately $428 billion at current market prices.
Information for this story was found via the sources and companies mentioned. The author has no securities or affiliations related to the organizations discussed. Not a recommendation to buy or sell. Always do additional research and consult a professional before purchasing a security. The author holds no licenses.
