Trump trial in Fort Pierce, Mar-a-Lago classified documents: Where to stay, things to know

Jennifer Sangalang and Hannah Phillips, Treasure Coast Newspapers
·7 min read
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When it comes to Trump and Florida, all eyes are usually on Mar-a-Lago.

But because of the alleged mishandling of Mar-a-Lago classified documents and the United States v. Donald Trump and Waltine “Walt” Nauta case, a lot of eyes are on Fort Pierce, Florida, where the trial will take place. It will be the first federal criminal trial of a former president.

Known as the Sunrise City because of its beautiful, Instagrammable sunrises, Fort Pierce is home to what some might call an idyllic downtown, boasting some of the most beautiful beaches and waterways in Florida.

Not everyone shares that opinion, though.

In a July 21 article profiling Aileen Cannon, the federal district court judge presiding over the case, the New York Times dismissed Fort Pierce as an unlikely center for serious jurisprudence. The New York Times reporter Robert Draper called the Treasure Coast's oldest city "a scruffy outpost."

TCPalm columnist claps back at the New York Times. Fort Pierce, Florida, is not 'scruffy.'

Cannon, who lives in nearby Vero Beach, had originally scheduled the Trump trial for Aug. 14-25. Last month, she rescheduled it for May 20, 2024, despite pleas by the former president's attorneys to hold off until after the 2024 presidential election.

Her decision followed lengthy debate at the first pretrial conference over whether Trump’s status as a presidential candidate warranted an indefinite delay. Cannon rejected concerns by Trump’s lawyers that press coverage ahead of the 2024 election may prevent them from finding a fair and unbiased jury. Unless she decides to move the trial elsewhere, jurors for the Fort Pierce courtroom would be drawn largely from counties that Trump won in his previous campaigns.

Trump, now a private citizen living at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, and his codefendant, Walt Nauta, have pleaded not guilty to the 38-count indictment in relation to the recovery of over 300 classified documents he allegedly took upon leaving the White House. Thirty-one of those counts are willful retention of national defense information.

With the Trump Mar-a-Lago classified documents case, Fort Pierce and other areas of the Treasure Coast are sure to have a bump in visitors. Hotels will likely be filled up, and local businesses may benefit as well. Here's a guide on where to stay and things to know about Fort Pierce.

What cities, areas should I search for when booking online?

Fort Pierce, Florida, is in St. Lucie County, one of three counties that make up the Treasure Coast. Indian River County and Martin County are the other two. Brevard County is north of Fort Pierce, and Palm Beach County is south.

If you’re not from the St. Lucie County area and you’re just visiting, these are the cities and locales you should put in your search queries and the approximate mileage away from the Alto Lee Adams Sr. U.S. Courthouse, the setting of the Trump trial.

  • Port St. Lucie

  • Fort Pierce

  • Tradition

  • South Hutchinson Island

  • North Hutchinson Island

What to know about Treasure Coast hotels

According to Charlotte Bireley, director of tourism and marketing for St. Lucie County, each of the three counties in the Treasure Coast "has its own tourism department/division and manages an independent visitor website. Each website has a listing of the accommodations that are located in each one of the counties. Of the three counties, and to the best of my knowledge, there are no 5-star hotels and a handful of 4-star hotels." Below are links to the accommodations pages.

'On the mainland,' what that means for Fort Pierce

Fort Pierce North, Fort Pierce and Fort Pierce South are on the mainland. Fort Pierce Inlet State Park is on a barrier island. The Indian River Lagoon separates the barrier island from mainland.

At 31 square miles, Fort Pierce embodies the small-town feel, but it has its share of beautiful Florida beaches.

If you're staying 'on the beach ...' at Fort Pierce

Fort Pierce is home to 16 beaches along 21 miles of the East Coast of Florida. Parking is free at all 16 beaches.

  • South Beach Park, 800 SR A1A, Fort Pierce

  • South Causeway Beach, 414 Seaway Drive, Fort Pierce

  • Pepper Park Beach, 3375 N. SR A1A, Fort Pierce

  • Blue Heron Beach, 2101 Blue Heron Blvd., Fort Pierce

  • Jetty Park, 2098 Seaway Drive, Fort Pierce

  • Middle Cove Beach, 4600 S. Ocean Drive, Fort Pierce

  • Gulfstream Beach on Gulfstream Avenue in Fort Pierce

  • Coconut Drive Park Beach on Coconut Drive in Fort Pierce

  • Fort Pierce public beach, 61 Seaway Drive

  • Fort Pierce Inlet State Park, 905 Shorewinds Drive

  • Blind Creek Beach, 5460 S. Ocean Drive, Fort Pierce

  • Blind Creek Riverside North, 4651 S. Ocean Drive, Fort Pierce

  • Pepper Beach, 3302 N. SR A1A, Fort Pierce

  • Queens Island Park beach access, 4804 Ocean Palms Drive, Fort Pierce

  • Porpoise Beach, 512 S. Ocean Drive, Fort Pierce

  • Jaycee Park on Melaleuca Drive in Fort Pierce

  • John Brooks Park Riverside, 3300 S. Ocean Drive, Fort Pierce

  • North Causeway Island Park, 500 N. Causeway, Fort Pierce

Cities near Fort Pierce on the Treasure, Space coasts

If you don't mind a drive, here's a list of cities near Fort Pierce (and the approximate mileage according to map sites) to help in your search queries for a hotel or Florida vacation rental for the Trump trial.

Brevard County, north of Indian River County and St. Lucie County

  • Viera, 67 miles away

  • Melbourne, 54 miles away

  • West Melbourne, 53 miles away

  • Palm Bay, 52 miles away

Indian River County, north of St. Lucie County

  • Sebastian, 28 miles away

  • Vero Beach, 15 miles away

St. Lucie County

  • Fort Pierce

  • Jensen Beach, 15 miles away

Martin County, south of St. Lucie County

  • Stuart, 18 miles away

  • Hobe Sound, 46 miles away

Orange County, west of St. Lucie County

  • East Orlando, 122 miles away

  • University of Central Florida, 108 miles away

  • Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, which includes the four theme parks, Disney World's Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Epcot and Hollywood Studios, 116 miles away

  • Universal Orlando, which includes its three theme parks, Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure and Volcano Bay water park, and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Hogsmeade and Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Diagon Alley, 116 miles away

When should I book a hotel or vacation rental for Trump trial?

As of Aug. 2, the alleged mishandling of Mar-a-Lago classified documents and the United States v. Donald Trump and Waltine “Walt” Nauta case is tentatively set for Monday, May 20, 2024.

Florida vacation rentals

Sites like Airbnb, Vacation Rental By Owner, Vrbo and hotels.com, search engines like Google and Bing, or third-party travel-booking sites have vacancy info.

Campgrounds on the Treasure Coast

Making the drive to the Treasure Coast in a camper? Consider these options below:

Sangalang is a lead digital producer for USA TODAY Network-Florida. Follow her on Twitter or Instagram at @byjensangalang. Support local journalism. Consider subscribing to a Florida newspaper.

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Trump indictment: Fort Pierce site of criminal trial for former president