Chinese National Faces Jail For Attempted Trespassing At Trump's Mar-a-Lago

A Chinese national, Zijie Li, 39, was detained on Friday for trespassing at Mar-a-Lago, the estate of President-elect Donald Trump. Li had been previously ordered to stay away from the property. He was arrested on Thursday after arriving at the entrance in an Uber. This incident is part of a series of interactions Li has had with law enforcement near the estate since July.

Li, residing in suburban Los Angeles on a student visa, had just been released from a mental health facility. He was placed there in late October after being found near Mar-a-Lago. Now, he faces two counts of misdemeanour trespassing. His arrest follows previous incidents involving threats to Trump, including a sniper attack in Pennsylvania and an alleged stalker at his Palm Beach golf course.

Previous Intrusions at Mar-a-Lago

During Trump's presidency, Mar-a-Lago experienced several illegal entries, including two by Chinese nationals. However, none aimed to harm Trump. In one case, three teenagers carrying a semiautomatic gun jumped a wall while fleeing police in August 2020. They were arrested immediately and were unaware of their location. Trump was not present at the estate during this incident.

In January 2020, Palm Beach deputies fired at a Connecticut opera singer who sped through a checkpoint outside Mar-a-Lago during a mental breakdown. She was unharmed and arrested nearby. Later found not guilty by reason of insanity, she faced charges of aggravated assault on an officer and resisting arrest without violence.

Li's Previous Attempts

According to police reports from Palm Beach, Li first attempted to enter Mar-a-Lago in July. He claimed to have information linking China to an assassination attempt on Trump in Pennsylvania. Secret Service agents instructed him to leave and not return. The following week, he was arrested for trying to enter the estate twice and charged with misdemeanour trespassing.

Li's bail conditions required him to avoid Mar-a-Lago and Trump. Despite this, last week he approached a homeowner near the estate who had a Trump campaign sign. He asked if she could take him inside Mar-a-Lago. She contacted the police, leading to Li's placement in a mental hospital for observation.

Legal Proceedings and Representation

The Palm Beach County Public Defender's Office is representing Li but declined to comment on the case as it is ongoing. Typically, they do not provide statements on pending cases.

After his release from the hospital on Thursday, Li returned to Mar-a-Lago and was arrested again for misdemeanour trespassing. His previous bail was revoked following this latest incident.

Other Notable Incidents

In March 2019, Yujing Zhang, another Chinese national, entered Mar-a-Lago with electronic devices like laptops and phones. Initial suspicions arose about her being a spy; however, she faced no espionage charges. Texts with her trip organiser revealed she admired Trump and wished to meet him or his family for potential business discussions.

Zhang was convicted of trespassing and subsequently deported. In December 2019, another Chinese national named Jing Lu was charged with loitering after returning to take photos despite being told to leave by security officers. She was acquitted of trespassing but found guilty of resisting arrest without violence.

On Thanksgiving weekend in 2018, a University of Wisconsin student visiting with his parents entered Mar-a-Lago by blending with an entering group. He was arrested and pleaded guilty to misdemeanour trespassing.

The U.S. Justice Department recently announced it thwarted an Iranian plot targeting Trump’s life. These incidents highlight ongoing security challenges surrounding Trump and his properties.