A Chinese citizen named Zijie Li, 38, was arrested by the Palm Beach Police Department for attempting to enter former President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach multiple times. Li claimed to have documents linking his home country’s government to the assassination attempt on Trump during a rally in Pennsylvania on July 13. The shooter, Thomas Matthew Crooks, was killed by Secret Service agents, but three others were injured.
Li’s first attempt to reach Mar-a-Lago was on July 19, when he drove up to the estate’s main entrance and told agents he had information about the assassination attempt. Despite being warned by police not to return, Li was spotted driving near Mar-a-Lago on multiple occasions. He was eventually arrested at an intersection north of the property.
Li’s court appearance is scheduled for August 5, and he has been given a no-contact order with Trump and anyone associated with him. This incident is not the first time a Chinese citizen has faced charges for trying to gain access to Mar-a-Lago. In 2019, a 32-year-old Chinese woman was arrested for lying to get into the club.
Trump was not at Mar-a-Lago when Li was arrested, but he is expected to return soon, according to a Federal Aviation Administration notice. Flight restrictions will be in place during his visit. Li used a Mandarin translator during his court proceedings, and the judge imposed the no-contact order as a precaution.
The incident involving Li highlights the security measures in place at Mar-a-Lago and the continued interest in Trump’s activities. It also raises questions about the motivations behind individuals attempting to access the property. As the court process unfolds, more details may emerge about Li’s intentions and his alleged connection to the assassination attempt. The ongoing investigation will shed light on the potential risks posed by individuals seeking unauthorized entry to high-security locations like Mar-a-Lago.
