05/04/2026
To the Palm Beach County Community;
After a busy and dynamic past several months, I am pleased to share, in close coordination with Sheriff Bradshaw, that South Ocean Boulevard is now open. At this time, there are no anticipated visits by any Secret Service protectees to Mar-a-Lago for the foreseeable future, including the next several months.
We recognize that the Palm Beach community has been asked to navigate a number of inconveniences due to the security posture surrounding the President’s private residence. That is not lost on us. I want to sincerely thank you for the patience and understanding you have shown as we carry out our mission to protect the President of the United States during a time when the threat environment remains heightened and dynamic.
We have seen firsthand the reality of those threats. From the attempted assassination of President Trump at his golf course to the unlawful entry of an armed individual at Mar-a-Lago, these are not hypothetical concerns. They are real, evolving risks that demand constant evaluation and enhancement of our security measures. Make no mistake, our teams take this responsibility seriously, and we are committed to doing it with precision, professionalism, and purpose. Your cooperation over the past several months has played a direct role in helping us do that.
As we close out this busy visit season, I want to recognize the partners who make this mission possible. To our federal partners, including the FBI, HSI, Department of War, and U.S. Coast Guard, as well as our local and state partners, Palm Beach Police Department, West Palm Beach Police Department, Jupiter Police Department, Florida Highway Patrol, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, emergency services and many others, thank you for your unwavering support and collaboration.
I want to extend a very special note of appreciation to Sheriff Bradshaw and the men and women of the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office. Their commitment has been extraordinary. The level of manpower, equipment, operational support, and intelligence they have dedicated to this mission is unmatched. Our partnership with PBSO continues to demonstrate what is possible when agencies operate as one unified team. From the West Palm Beach Resident Office, the Miami Field Office, and the entire United States Secret Service, thank you for standing shoulder to shoulder with us.
As we move forward, our commitment to the safety and security of this community and the President remains unwavering. While the tempo may shift, our vigilance does not. We will continue to adapt, prepare, and respond to whatever challenges arise, and with the same level of dedication. To the residents of Palm Beach County, thank you for your continued trust, your resilience, and your partnership. It is because of communities like this that we are able to carry out our mission at the highest level.
In great appreciation,
Michael Townsend
Acting Special Agent in Charge
Secret Service Miami