Palm Beach Mayor Danielle Moore is currently considering the possibility of closing Mar-a-Lago, responding to residents’ concerns about feeling unsafe.
The backdrop of this consideration is a recent assassination attempt near former President Donald Trump’s property, which has escalated security measures in the area.
Indefinite Road Closure Near Trump’s Property
An indefinite closure of South Ocean Boulevard, the main road along Mar-a-Lago, was implemented nearly a month ago by the Secret Service.
This decision was in reaction to the security threats following the assassination attempt on July 13. The closure has disrupted local traffic and access.
Increased Security Measures Questioned
Despite the heightened security measures, including new checkpoints, Mar-a-Lago continues to operate.
Mayor Moore highlighted the contradiction in a recent council meeting, stating, “You can’t have it both ways, boys and girls. Either the club’s open or not,” as reported by the Palm Beach Daily News.
Two Arrests
Since the road on the South Ocean closed, two people have been arrested for trying to trespass onto Mar-a-Lago.
On July 31, a Chinese citizen repeatedly tried to enter the club, claiming he had documents linking China to the July 13 assassination attempt. A 42-year-old man from South Carolina was also arrested after bypassing Secret Service checkpoints in a bid to give Trump some religious items and have him sign a T-shirt.
Legal and Logistic Complications from Road Closure
The town of Palm Beach was not involved in the decision to close the boulevard, but they are working closely with the Secret Service to minimize disruptions caused by this decision.
The town is exploring legal options to ensure the road remains open when Trump is not in residence, according to a July 20 alert.
Mayor’s Concerns Over Road Closure
Mayor Moore has expressed her reservations about the road closure, especially given its location.
“I have more concerns coming from the west side of Mar-a-Lago,” she said, questioning the necessity of the closure given its geographical context with mostly water in the vicinity.
‘Completely Illogical’
The Mar-a-Lago is due to open for its social season this fall. Council Member Julie Araskog asked Moore how the council will deal with traffic and security when the club reopens.
“In my mind, if the road is closed, the Mar-a-Lago Club is closed. There’s no way in God’s green earth that they can bring 350 people into that club. It’s completely illogical that you’ve got a road closed and then you’re going to let 350 strangers into your club,” said Moore.
A Neutral Move
Moore said closing the road but keeping the club open is a complete oxymoron.
Town members also insisted politics play no role in their calls for a prolonged closure of the club.
Residents’ Safety and Access Concerns
During a council meeting, Council Member Julie Araskog relayed the residents’ difficulties due to the new security measures, stating, “Our residents don’t feel safe right now.”
These concerns are compounded by the fact that caregivers and staff are finding it difficult to reach homes, potentially affecting emergency responses.
Impact on Local Traffic and Daily Life
The road closure has significantly affected local traffic, creating extensive detours that disrupt daily routines.
Council Member Ted Cooney voiced his concerns, explaining the substantial change to town life and transport, indicating residents now face dramatically increased travel times for simple errands.
Emergency Services
A Palm Beach officer is stationed at Mar-a-Lago to ensure emergency vehicles can pass through the road’s checkpoints.
However, Palm Beach Fire Rescue Chief Sean Baker said response times will be affected regardless.
Natural Disasters
Because Florida was recently hit by Storm Debby, residents raised concerns about how the road closure would affect Palm Beach during a hurricane.
Palm Beach Police Chief Nicholas Caristo said during a hurricane-related evacuation, barricades would be lifted.
Anticipating the High Season
Town Manager Kirk Blouin has noted the current slowdown in town activity, but with the high season approaching post-Thanksgiving, concerns are growing about the potential intensification of these issues.
Blouin commented, “We’re at the slowest point that we’re going to be and we’re already seeing the impacts.”
Road Closure Expected Through Election Day
Local police have indicated that the road closure is likely to continue at least until the upcoming Election Day on November 5.
This prolongation adds to the complexity of the situation, as residents and officials brace for an extended period of disruption.
Debate Over Security and Public Access
The ongoing situation presents a challenge in balancing stringent security needs with the public’s right to access and normalcy.
The town council is caught in a delicate balancing act, trying to mitigate the impact on the community while adhering to necessary security protocols.
Trump’s Primary Residence
In the past, Palm Beach residents tried to prevent Mar-a-Lago from becoming Trump’s primary residence.
They cited the declaration-of-use agreement between Trump and Palm Beach as the legal barrier to him claiming legal residence at the club. However, the previous Town Attorney allowed Trump to take residence at Mar-a-Lago.
No Bar on Trump
Residents tried to block Mar-a-Lago from becoming Trump’s legal residence in 2021.
However, the former Town Attorney, Skip Randolph, found that Trump could live at the club. Trump lives at the club under the town’s zoning code, which says private clubs can provide living quarters to “bona fide employees.”
The Only Way to Get Trump Out
The only way to ensure the end of the road closure would be if the club were no longer Trump’s primary legal residence.
According to the agreement between Trump and the Palm Beach council, his residence would only end if he was found to have violated his declaration-of-use agreement with the council.
Inflating Trump’s Worth
Mar-a-Lago appeared in Trump’s fraud case as the former president had overinflated the club’s estimated value.
Trump estimated the property’s value between $426 million and $612 million. Findings from New York Attorney General Letitia James and New York Justice Arthur Engoron said its actual value lies between $18 million and $27.6 million.
Police Defend the Road Closure
Retired Palm Beach police chief and member of the Palm Beach Civic Association’s Executive Committee, Michael Reiter, said the road closure is understandable.
“While the road closure around Mar-a-Lago is certainly an inconvenience, it is reasonable given the circumstances. We all need to add additional time to our travels to avoid the area, and that is worthwhile to reduce the chance of something unthinkable occurring in our community,” said Reiter.
Exploring Legal Routes to Open Roads
In response to the extended road closure, town officials are considering legal avenues to keep the road open when the former president is not present.
This approach aims to alleviate some of the logistical challenges faced by the town and its residents.
Dividing the Town
The exploration of legal resolutions is led by Town Attorney Joanne O’Connor. The attorney argued that the road closure “effectively cuts the Town in two.”
O’Connor asked the Secret Service “to provide the legal authority authorizing it to implement the road closure for the specific duration and even when protectee(s) are not in residence in the Town.”
A Stalemate With the Secret Service
The Palm Beach town council is at a standstill with the Secret Service until the election.
Town Manager, Kirk Bluin, said: “We can’t physically go and remove the barriers. They ordered the shutdown. We need to know what our options are. That’s going to take some legal research.”
The Road Ahead for Palm Beach
As Palm Beach navigates these complex issues, all stakeholders are keenly observing how the town manages the interplay between security and everyday life.
The decisions made in the coming weeks could set precedents for handling similar situations in the future, particularly in areas hosting high-profile individuals.
