A Chinese citizen was arrested Wednesday for trying to enter Mar-a-Lago, claiming he had documents that tie his government to the July 13 assassination attempt
Things are getting weird pic.twitter.com/eHbDUbsl8M
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PALM BEACH, Fla. (CBS12) — Just days after a gunman opened fire on former President Donald Trump during a campaign rally, a man tried to enter Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, claiming he had documents proving China’s involvement in the assassination attempt.
Zijie Li, 38, stood before a Palm Beach County judge on Friday, facing trespassing charges.
The first incident happened on July 19. According to police, Li attempted to enter through the main gate of Mar-a-Lago at 7:59 p.m. before he was stopped by the United States Secret Service (USSS). He reportedly told USSS that he had a folder that contained information claiming that China was involved in former President Donald Trump’s assassination attempt. The affidavit says police were called and officers issued Li a a written trespassing warning.
The affidavit says police advised Li to not return or he would be arrested.
That didn’t stop Li. On Tuesday and Wednesday Li was seen driving his vehicle near Mar-a-Lago, the arrest report says.
The report says, on Tuesday he was seen traveling on South Ocean Boulevard. He was approached by an officer and USSS agents who told him not to return Mar-a-Lago again and he was released.
On Wednesday Li tried to enter the south gate at Mar-a-Lago but was stopped by security. The report says due to the previous warnings, a BOLO was issued on Li’s vehicle.
It led to a Palm Beach officer arresting Li at Royal Palm Way and County Road.
Sheriff Ric Bradshaw has been alongside the Secret Service, ramping up safety measures with around-the-clock security, both on land and water.
“I want everybody to feel comfortable coming to visit here. I mean, look, we’re well trained at this. We protected the president for four years here. We’ve never had a glitch. We work seamlessly with the Secret Service. And folks, they’re excellent,” Bradshaw said in a news conference.
Out of caution, the Secret Service has closed South Ocean Boulevard near the club until the November general election.
Supporters rallying nearby say they trust local authorities have everything under control.
“I’m not afraid at all. They locked down the streets down there, so that’s a good help,” on supporter said.
“I don’t think anybody would try to attempt to even throw a rock at President Trump down here in Florida because we all carry, and they know they’d be in trouble,” another supporter added.
Interestingly, Li isn’t the first Chinese national to be arrested for trying to get onto Mar-a-Lago.
In 2019, a woman tricked her way through security after presenting two Chinese passports. She was later arrested with four cellphones, a computer, and a hard drive on her, leading to speculation that she might be a spy.
Later that year, another woman from China was arrested for trespassing and resisting an officer.
Li was booked on counts of Trespassing after warning and is being held at the Palm Beach County Jail. Li’s bond was bumped up from $250 to $10,000, sending a clear message that security breaches will be taken seriously.
