PALM BEACH, Fla. — A man who was previously issued a trespass warning and arrested for violating the warning was arrested again for trying to get into President-elect Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate, according to court records.
Zijie Li, 39, was arrested Thursday after trying to trespass at the Palm Beach home. According to county court records, Li, who lives in Los Angeles, was on bond after being arrested in July for the same charge.
When Trump is at Mar-a-Lago, the surrounding area becomes a security zone established by the Secret Service. Barricades, cones, signage and staff members surround the area and checkpoints are created to prevent unauthorized entry inside, court records show.
Li was first issued a warning on July 19 when he reportedly tried to enter the residence to speak with Trump. Then, he came into Palm Beach four additional times and drove up to one of the checkpoints of the residence but did not try to enter, according to his arrest report.
On July 30, authorities say Li was placing paperwork about Trump on vehicles. The next day, he was arrested for trespassing and was released on a bond condition to stay 500 feet away from Mar-a-Lago and Trump.
On Oct. 30, police detained Li after he reportedly tried to get a resident to help him enter Mar-a-Lago. Li reportedly asked the person to drive him to Mar-a-Lago in her car. After he was released, records show Li again tried to enter Mar-a-Lago by using an Uber and was arrested by Palm Beach Police.
Now, he is facing two separate misdemeanor charges for trespassing after warning. He pleaded not guilty to the first charge from his July arrest.
Security in Palm Beach County has ramped up as Trump heads into his second term. WPTV reported the town has spent approximately $3,600 per day on law enforcement and fire rescue resources to protect him, according to a letter addressed to lawmakers by the mayor. In nearly one month, the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office spent $2.8 million in protection costs, according to the letter.
