Donald Trump has reinforced his luxury Mar-a-Lago resort with air defence missiles. New photos show two Avenger surface-to-air missile systems on a floating barge close to the US President’s Florida residence.
The short-range systems, designed to wipe out aircraft, drones and missiles, are in place as Mr Trump visits ahead of next week’s midterm elections. In a three-word warning, the Secret Service spoke of a “heightened threat environment”.
A spokesperson told The Telegraph: “The US Secret Service is operating in a heightened threat environment, and we continuously adapt our protective operations to incorporate cutting-edge tools, technology, and methods to safeguard our protectees.” Airspace around the Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach has also been restricted for Mr Trump’s visit, while suspected counter-drone systems have also been photographed.
Federal court documents show the Secret Service plans to permanently close off airspace around the resort “due to adverse threat intelligence”, including “terroristic threats”, reports say. The Avengers air defence systems are understood to be stationed at Lake Worth Lagoon to the west of Mr Trump’s 17-acre seafront beach.
A photographer from the Palm Beach Daily News said they first spotted them last Thursday ahead of Mr Trump making an overnight stay later that day. The President is set to hold a number of telerallies while at Mar-a-Lago this weekend as he attempts to bolster Republican support ahead of midterm Election Day on Tuesday.
He earlier this week cancelled rallies in the key battlegrounds of Iowa and Kansas, but will now attend the campaign events back-to-back on Sunday following a U-turn. Prior to the rallies being back on, a reporter asked the President whether the cancellations had anything to do with his health.
“You know what the reason is? I don’t feel I have to go to Kansas,” said Mr Trump as he snapped back at the reporter from Reuters on Thursday. “I feel perfect. You are disgusting.”
Reports suggest the Republicans are bracing themselves for some heavy losses in the midterms. The Senate races in Kansas and Iowa are expected to help determine whether Republicans hold onto their narrow majority in the chamber.
Surface-to-air missile systems have also been deployed at the newly-renamed Donald J. Trump International Airport in Palm Beach at the request of the Secret Service, according to The Independent, citing federal officials. The service, which protects high-ranking Washington officials, earlier this year said threats against its protectees have increased 40% year-on-year.
