Secret Service confirms receipt of Palm Beach's letter about Mar-a-Lago road closure

Kristina Webb, Palm Beach Daily News
Updated ·4 min read
23

The U.S. Secret Service confirmed Wednesday that it has received a letter from Palm Beach questioning the recent indefinite closure of a main road that passes alongside the Mar-a-Lago Club, but did not provide a timeline for when it might send a reply.

In a statement emailed to the Palm Beach Daily News, Secret Service spokesperson Melissa McKenzie said the agency will continue to work with the community, businesses and local law enforcement as agents work to protect former President Donald Trump and his family at his Palm Beach property.

"We would like to thank them for the unwavering support they provide to us every day to safeguard the former President," she wrote.

The Secret Service on July 20 closed South Ocean Boulevard in Palm Beach from the Southern Boulevard traffic circle north to the intersection with South County Road, one of several increased security measures put in place following the July 13 attempted assassination of Trump.

More: Secret Service will meet with Palm Beach next week to discuss Mar-a-Lago road closure

Two days later, Town Attorney Joanne O'Connor sent a letter to the Secret Service and asked the agency to "provide the legal authority authorizing USSS to implement this road closure for the specified duration and even when protectee(s) are not in residence in the Town. The latter represents a significant departure from prior actions by the USSS."

During a Town Council meeting on Tuesday, Town Manager Kirk Blouin said it was possible Palm Beach would not receive a reply. During that same meeting, officials discussed pursuing their legal options, one of which could be to revoke the special exception that allows Mar-a-Lago to operate as a private club.

The road closure, checkpoints and security zone around Mar-a-Lago effectively cut Palm Beach in half and force many drivers who would have used the Southern Boulevard Bridge to instead use the Royal Park Bridge at Okeechobee Boulevard. It's the middle of the three bridges that connect Palm Beach to the mainland, and congestion has already worsened since the road closed near Mar-a-Lago.

When Trump was in office, the road next to Mar-a-Lago would close and the checkpoints would be erected, but only when he visited his Palm Beach home.

The U.S. Secret Service in recent weeks has increased security around former President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach, seen here from the west on July 19, the day before an indefinite road closure went into effect next to the property.
The U.S. Secret Service in recent weeks has increased security around former President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach, seen here from the west on July 19, the day before an indefinite road closure went into effect next to the property.

Town officials and residents have been adamant that they understand the need to protect Trump, his family and those around him.

But many have shared concerns that the traffic and indefinite closure could lead to safety issues and increased response times for emergency crews, something Palm Beach Fire Rescue Capt. Sean Baker acknowledged when speaking to the Town Council during Tuesday's meeting.

While emergency vehicles can pass through the south checkpoint next to Mar-a-Lago — all other drivers must enter and exit through the north checkpoint — he said they must navigate a channel that is narrow and serpentine, calling it "a gauntlet."

While the Secret Service did not confirm whether Palm Beach will receive a response, McKenzie said the agency has increased security since July 13 for all of the people it protects.

"The Secret Service works closely with our public safety partners to establish the best possible security plan while minimizing the disruptions to the public, residences and businesses," she wrote. "Once a security plan is enacted, the Secret Service continuously monitors and evaluates the security plan and makes adjustments accordingly."

Lawmakers have scrutinized the Secret Service’s actions before and during the shooting, and the agency’s director, Kimberly Cheatle, resigned following a contentious hearing before Congress. Former West Palm Beach Police officer Ronald Rowe has been appointed acting director of the Secret Service.

Below is the full text of McKenzie's response from the Secret Service to the Daily News' request for information about a possible response to the town letter:

"Following the events of July 13, the U.S. Secret Service has elevated the protective posture of all our protectees and bolstered our protective details as appropriate in order to ensure the highest levels of safety and security for the people and places we protect. The Secret Service works closely with our public safety partners to establish the best possible security plan while minimizing the disruptions to the public, residences and businesses. Once a security plan is enacted, the Secret Service continuously monitors and evaluates the security plan and makes adjustments accordingly. We received the Town of Palm Beaches letter and will continue to work with the community, businesses and our law enforcement partners. We would like to thank them for the unwavering support they provide to us every day to safeguard the former President."

Staff writer Jodie Wagner contributed to this story.

Kristina Webb is a reporter for Palm Beach Daily News, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach her at kwebb@pbdailynews.com. Subscribe today to support our journalism.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Daily News: Secret Service: We received Palm Beach Mar-a-Lago road closure letter