A Chinese citizen, Zijie Li, 38, of El Monte, California, was arrested after multiple attempts to gain access to former President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach. Li claimed to possess documents linking his home country's government to the July 13 assassination attempt on Trump during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
The failed assassination attempt involved shooter Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, who was killed by Secret Service agents after firing shots that narrowly missed Trump's skull, injuring three supporters and resulting in the death of former Buffalo Township Fire Chief Corey Comperatore.
Following the incident, security was heightened around Trump's properties, leading to the closure of South Ocean Boulevard next to Mar-a-Lago on July 20.
Li's initial attempt to enter Mar-a-Lago was on July 19, where he was warned by authorities not to trespass. Despite the warning, Li made subsequent visits on July 22 and July 30, prompting his eventual arrest at an intersection north of Mar-a-Lago.
Li's actions have drawn parallels to a previous incident involving a 32-year-old Chinese woman who was arrested in 2019 for attempting to access Mar-a-Lago under false pretenses.
Li, who required a Mandarin translator during court proceedings, has been issued a no-contact order with Trump, his associates, and Mar-a-Lago property. His next court appearance is scheduled for Monday, August 5.
Trump, who was not present during Li's arrest, is expected to return to Mar-a-Lago this weekend, prompting temporary flight restrictions in the area.
