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A 23-year-old man was arrested early Tuesday morning after illegally scaling the perimeter wall of Mar-a-Lago, the Florida estate of former President Donald Trump. The suspect, identified as Anthony Thomas Reyes, reportedly told law enforcement he was trying to “spread the gospel” and profess his desire to marry Trump’s teenage granddaughter, Kai Trump.
The incident occurred just after midnight on June 4 at the Palm Beach property. According to a statement released by the U.S. Secret Service, Reyes climbed a fence surrounding the estate, setting off alarms that immediately prompted a security response. Secret Service agents detained him without incident before local authorities from the Palm Beach Police Department arrived and took him into custody.
“An adult male was arrested early Tuesday morning by the Palm Beach Police Department for unlawfully entering the Mar-a-Lago Club property in Florida. Shortly after midnight, the individual scaled a perimeter fence and triggered alarms,” said the Secret Service in a statement. “U.S. Secret Service personnel detained him without incident at the scene. Palm Beach Police officers responded to the scene and took the individual into custody, charging him with occupied trespassing.”
Reyes was initially booked on a misdemeanor trespassing charge and held on a $1,000 bond. However, the bond was later raised to $50,000, and officials say federal charges may still be filed. At the time of the intrusion, former President Trump was not at Mar-a-Lago; he was in Washington, D.C., according to law enforcement.
During Reyes’ court appearance on June 3 before Judge Daliah Weiss, he pleaded not guilty. The judge imposed a strict no-contact order, prohibiting Reyes from contacting President Trump, Kai Trump, or any members of the Trump family. He is also barred from visiting any Trump-owned properties or contacting any witnesses related to the case. In addition, Reyes is prohibited from possessing any weapons or firearms.
This incident marks Reyes’ second known attempt to gain access to Mar-a-Lago. According to police records, he had previously been issued a trespass warning at the estate on New Year’s Eve, when Trump was reportedly present at the property.
Authorities have not released further details on Reyes’ motives, but his comments about wanting to marry a member of the Trump family and promote religious teachings have raised significant security concerns. Federal officials are continuing to investigate the incident, and additional charges may be pending as the case develops.
James Jenkins is a celebrated Pulitzer Prize-winning author whose work has reshaped the way readers think about social justice and human rights in America. Raised in Atlanta, Georgia, James grew up in a community that instilled in him both resilience and a strong sense of responsibility toward others. After studying political science and creative writing at Howard University, he worked as a journalist covering civil rights issues before dedicating himself fully to fiction. His novels are known for their sharp, empathetic portraits of marginalized communities and for weaving personal stories with broader political realities. Jenkins’s breakout novel, Shadows of Freedom, won national acclaim for its unflinching look at systemic inequality, while his more recent works explore themes of identity, resilience, and the fight for dignity in the face of oppression. Beyond his novels, James is an active public speaker, lecturing at universities and participating in nonprofit initiatives that support literacy and community empowerment. He believes that storytelling is a way to preserve history and inspire change. When not writing, James enjoys jazz music, mentoring young writers, and traveling with his family to explore cultures and stories around the world.
