U.S. Fighter Jets Intercept Two Aircraft In Restricted Airspace Over Mar-a-Lago

The U.S. Air Force deployed fighter jets to intercept an aircraft that entered restricted airspace over President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida on Sunday, as confirmed by NORAD.

This marked the second instance in just 48 hours where F-16s from the Continental U.S. NORAD region were dispatched in response to unauthorized flights over Palm Beach, Florida, according to a statement from the North American Aerospace Defense Command.

“NORAD has responded to over 20 tracks of interest entering the Palm Beach, Florida TFR area” since Trump’s presidential inauguration on Jan. 20, the statement further noted.

During the interception, the fighter jets released flares that were likely visible to the public. NORAD clarified that the flares were used “to draw attention from or communicate with the pilot” of the civilian aircraft.

The statement also reassured that the flares “burn out quickly and completely, and pose no danger to people on the ground.”

The incident took place while Trump was at his Palm Beach golf course, as reported by the White House press pool.

“Adherence to TFR procedures is essential to ensure flight safety, national security, and the security of the President,” stated Gen. Gregory Guillot, who commands NORAD and the U.S. Northern Command.

“The procedures are not optional, and the excessive number of recent TFR violations indicates many civil aviators are not reading Notice to Airmen, or NOTAMs, before each flight as required by the FAA, and has resulted in multiple responses by NORAD fighter aircraft to guide offending aircraft out of the TFR,” he added.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Secret Service reported that an armed man was shot by officers near the White House early Sunday morning. The agency stated in a release that the incident occurred shortly after midnight.

According to Fox News, officers confronted the individual about a block away from the White House, near the west side of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building.

A statement from the Secret Service indicated that on Saturday, law enforcement had received information regarding a suicidal individual believed to be traveling to Washington, D.C., from Indiana.

Around midnight, Secret Service members identified a parked vehicle matching the description provided near 17th and F Streets, NW, and soon located an individual nearby who fit the reported description.

“As officers approached, the individual brandished a firearm and an armed confrontation ensued, during which shots were fired by our personnel,” the agency wrote. “The suspect was rushed to an area hospital and his condition is unknown.”

No Secret Service officers were harmed in the exchange, according to the agency’s statement, as cited by Fox News.

The Metropolitan Police Department has taken charge of the investigation into the shooting, as it is the lead agency responsible for handling use-of-force incidents in Washington, D.C.

Trump was not present at the White House at the time of the incident. According to his official schedule, he was set to leave Mar-a-Lago later on Sunday to return to Washington, D.C.

This incident follows Trump’s announcement on Friday that he intends to release reports regarding the two assassination attempts against him, committing to transparency about the attacks that nearly claimed his life during the 2024 presidential campaign.

Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump expressed frustration over the limited public disclosure of information and assured that more details would be made available soon.

“It’s been seven months. Why do you think we don’t know more about the guy who shot you in the ear?” Fox News’ Peter Doocy asked Thursday.

“We can no longer blame Biden for that one,” Trump replied. “He should have released that a long time ago. So they are giving me a report next week sometime and I do believe I’ll be releasing. I want to release the report, a lot of people have asked that question.”

Trump survived two assassination attempts in 2024. The first occurred on July 13 at a campaign rally near Butler, Pennsylvania, when 20-year-old gunman Thomas Matthew Crooks opened fire from an elevated position 400 feet away. Trump sustained a grazing wound on his upper right ear, while one rally attendee was killed and two others were critically injured.