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The huge security apparatus that precedes the president is already in place. The helpers and agents are there. And Trump's suitcases have already been closed with his golf clothes.
It may not be anything if Trump and the legislators do not reach a compromise on government funding after midnight. The White House announced that Trump would not travel to Florida if the partial closure of the government took effect.
After meeting Senate Republicans in the White House on Friday morning, Trump did not come up with any new plans that would garner enough support to be adopted. This showed a more likely stop.
But that did not prevent preparations for the potential arrival of Trump in Florida.
The security perimeter surrounding Mar-a-Lago when the president is in residence has already been established, with traffic diverted along Ocean Boulevard. Dozens of agents and secret service officers are already on the ground and use dogs to control vehicles and guests entering the club.
The secret service is part of the Department of Homeland Security, which is one of nine agencies and departments whose funding expires at midnight Friday. In the emergency plans submitted to the Office of Management and Budget, the secret services said that nearly 6,000 of its employees were considered essential, meaning they would still need to introduce themselves at work in a situation of arrest.
But until Congress and Trump approve new spending, these employees would remain unpaid.
Some White House staff members also went to the president, but have more and more doubts that he will arrive here Friday, if at all.
Preparing Protectively
At the White House, helpers prepared in a protective manner to leave in case an agreement could be reached. The suitcases of the president and the first lady were packed, according to a person familiar with the case, and some of the staff members supposed to travel with Trump also arrived at the White House on Friday, ready to fly back and forth. afternoon, just in case.
At the Palm Beach International Airport, preparations for the arrival of Air Force One had begun, including aligning dozens of yellow school buses to create a barrier of security.
A billboard on the way from the airport to Mar-a-Lago was also erected. By far, this sounds like an official sign of Trump, but when the words appear, it becomes clear that this is not: "Impeachment Now: Make America America Again". It's paid for by the liberal Mad Dog PAC.
The black, red and gold Boeing 757 of the Trump brand is parked on the tarmac and part of Trump's family is already there.
Donald Trump Jr. spoke on Thursday evening with his girlfriend Kimberly Guilfoyle in Mar-a-Lago, who was hosting a gala for Turning Point USA, the group of young conservatives. Presenter Rush Limbaugh and activists Charlie Kirk and Candice Owens also spoke.
Mar-a-Lago employees were asked to be prepared for any eventuality, a person familiar with the instructions said. Planning was underway for a Christmas Eve dinner followed by a midnight Mass at the nearby Bethesda by the Sea Church, as well as a Christmas dinner and a dinner party. party with black tie. On January 5th, Trump should also attend the police officer's ball at the club.
On the Trump International Golf Course, on the other side of the West Palm Beach Bridge, police have already taken up positions outside, where cameras have sometimes given a glimpse of the course Of the president. New placards were placed along the fence, noting "No intrusion" in English and Spanish.
Khalil Abdallah of CNN and Peter Morris contributed to this report.
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