Secret Service receives letter about road closure at Palm Beach Mar-a-Lago
The closed road in front of the former president’s residence in Florida continues to anger Palm Beach residents.
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The U.S. Secret Service confirmed on Wednesday, August 14, that it had received a letter from Palm Beach questioning the recent indefinite closure of a major road that runs past the Mar-a-Lago Club, but did not provide a timeline for a possible response.
In an emailed statement to the Palm Beach Daily News, Secret Service spokeswoman Melissa McKenzie said the agency will continue to work with the public, businesses and local law enforcement to protect former President Donald Trump and his family at his Palm Beach estate.
“We want to thank them for the tireless support they provide us every day to protect the former President,” she wrote.
On July 20, the Secret Service closed South Ocean Boulevard in Palm Beach from the Southern Boulevard roundabout north to the intersection with South County Road, one of several increased security measures implemented following the July 13 assassination attempt on Trump.
Two days later, City Attorney Joanne O’Connor sent a letter to the Secret Service asking the agency to “grant legal authority to authorize the USSS to implement this street closure for the specified duration and even if the protected person(s) do not reside in the city. The latter represents a significant departure from previous USSS actions.”
During a City Council meeting on Tuesday, City Manager Kirk Blouin said it was possible Palm Beach would not receive a response. During the same meeting, officials discussed whether they could use their legal options, one of which could be revoking the special permit that allows Mar-a-Lago to operate as a private club.
The road closures, checkpoints and security perimeter around Mar-a-Lago effectively split Palm Beach in half, forcing many drivers who would otherwise have used the Southern Boulevard Bridge to instead use the Royal Park Bridge on Okeechobee Boulevard. It is the middle of the three bridges that connect Palm Beach to the mainland, and congestion has already worsened since the road was closed at Mar-a-Lago.
During Trump’s time in office, the road next to Mar-a-Lago was closed and checkpoints were set up – but only when he visited his home in Palm Beach.
City officials and residents emphasized that they understood the need to protect Trump, his family and those around him.
However, many expressed concerns that the traffic and indefinite closure could lead to safety issues and longer response times for emergency responders, something Palm Beach Fire Department Captain Sean Baker echoed in his speech to the City Council during Tuesday’s meeting.
While emergency vehicles can pass through the southern checkpoint next to Mar-a-Lago – all other drivers must pass through the northern checkpoint – he said they would have to navigate a narrow and winding canal, which he described as “an ordeal.”
While the Secret Service did not confirm whether Palm Beach will receive a response, McKenzie said the agency has increased security measures for all the people it protects since July 13.
“The Secret Service works closely with our public safety partners to develop the best possible security plan while minimizing disruption to the public, homes and businesses,” she wrote. “Once a security plan is in place, the Secret Service continually monitors and evaluates it and makes adjustments as appropriate.”
Lawmakers have been scrutinizing the Secret Service’s actions before and during the shooting, and the agency’s director, Kimberly Cheatle, resigned after a contentious congressional hearing. Former West Palm Beach police officer Ronald Rowe was named acting director of the Secret Service.
Below is the full text of McKenzie’s Secret Service response to the Daily News’ request for information on a possible response to the city’s letter:
“Following the events of July 13, the U.S. Secret Service has increased protective measures for all of our protected individuals and increased our protective forces accordingly to ensure the highest level of safety for the people and places we protect. The Secret Service is working closely with our public safety partners to develop the best possible security plan while minimizing disruption to the public, homes, and businesses. Once a security plan is in place, the Secret Service continually monitors and evaluates it and makes adjustments as appropriate. We have received the letter from the City of Palm Beaches and will continue to work with the community, businesses, and our law enforcement partners. We want to thank them for the tireless support they provide us every day to protect the former President.”
Kristina Webb is a reporter for the Palm Beach Daily News, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. Reach her at [email protected]. Subscribe today to support our journalism.
