Local governments where Trump spends many weekends seek federal reimbursement for security costs

Anthony Man, South Florida Sun-Sentinel on Mar 23, 2025

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President Donald Trump did something unusual this weekend: he didn’t visit his Mar-a-Lago Club, something he’s done most weekends since returning to the presidency.

That gave a break to local law enforcement, which plays a major role in presidential security when he’s in Palm Beach County — and especially as he moves among his Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach, Trump International Golf Club near West Palm Beach, and Palm Beach International Airport in West Palm Beach.

It also provides some relief for Palm Beach County taxpayers, who are picking up the costs of locally provided sheriff’s office, police and fire-rescue services.

They’re hoping for reimbursement for those costs under bipartisan legislation sponsored by U.S. Rep. Lois Frankel, the Palm Beach County Democrat who represents Mar-a-Lago, and U.S. Rep. Tom Kean Jr., the New Jersey Republican who represents Trump National Golf Club Bedminster, where the president spends much of his weekend time when South Florida heats up and the Palm Beach social scene dies down.

Even though the Secret Service surrounds and protects the president, local authorities help secure motorcade routes and work on the perimeter. Fire-rescue units are part of the motorcade.

The cost varies, depending on the president’s activities, but can cost $200,000 to $300,000 a day, said Todd Bonlarron, an assistant Palm Beach County administrator who’s been working on the reimbursement legislation with Frankel, other members of Congress from both parties, the White House and other federal agencies.

The current proposal seeks funding of and reauthorization for a program similar to what was in effect during Trump’s first term in office. The Florida and New Jersey members of Congress and local government are seeking $50 million for reimbursements from last July through the end of the current fiscal year on Sept. 30. The bulk of that money, about $45 million, would reimburse expenses incurred by Palm Beach County, Bonlarron said Sunday.

Additional funding is being sought for the fiscal year that begins Oct. 1, he said.

Security surrounding Trump increased significantly last summer when he was the former president running to return to office. He survived an assassination attempt in Butler, Pa., on July 13, and on Sept. 15, a would-be assassin waiting outside his golf course near West Palm Beach was foiled.

“At the request of the federal government, Palm Beach County has consistently stepped up to ensure that President Trump has the best security protection available anytime he is in residence in our community,” Palm Beach County Mayor Maria Marino said in statements from Frankel’s and Kean’s offices.

“We consider it an honor to serve and protect our president; however, our tax-paying community cannot continue to foot the bill for this very costly service. We need help and relief from this significant local financial impact.”

Under the Presidential Security Resources Reimbursement Act, the Secret Service could reimburse local law enforcement and fire department services for visits to Trump’s residences in Florida, New Jersey, or New York, Kean’s office said in a statement.

Agencies that would be in line for reimbursement include the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, Palm Beach County Fire Rescue, Town of Palm Beach Police Department and City of West Palm Beach Police Department, Frankel’s office said in a statement.

“Protecting the President is a matter of national security and should be a federal responsibility to bear the costs,” Frankel said. “Diverting funds for presidential security can strain local governments’ ability to provide essential public services.”

Kean added in a statement that the Secret Service “relies on strong collaboration with local law enforcement to fulfill its mission effectively.”

The similar program started in 2017 and was funded with about $41 million a year during Trump’s first term, Bonlarron said. It wasn’t being used toward the end of former President Joe Biden’s term in office.

Trump, born in Queens and long proud of his image as a savvy Manhattan real estate mogul, was a lifelong New Yorker until midway through his first term. In 2019, he got mad at his Democratic-dominated longtime home state and declared Mar-a-Lago his official residence.

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