Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition

President expected back in Florida this weekend

- By Brett Clarkson Staff writer brettclark­son@sunsentine­l .com, 954-254-8533

It looks increasing­ly certain that President Donald Trump will be back in not only South Florida but also Central Florida this weekend.

The Federal Aviation Authority issued advisories Tuesday restrictin­g airspace over Orlando on Friday and Palm Beach from Friday through Sunday.

Only aircraft “directly supporting” the U.S. Secret Service and the office of the president, as well as other exceptions like air ambulance flights and approved, regularly scheduled commercial and cargo flights, will be permitted to enter the 10-nautical-mile core of the restricted airspace during the closures.

There are also reports Trump will address a GOP retreat in Palm Beach this weekend.

According to the FAA advisories, airspace over Orlando will be restricted from 12:15 to 3:45 p.m. Friday.

The airspace over Palm Beach will be restricted from 3:30 p.m. Friday until 10:30 p.m. Sunday.

The advisories are subject to change, and pilots can watch for updates on the FAA’s site.

This would be President Trump’s fourth visit to Palm Beach, where his Mar-aLago residence and social club is based, since his inaugurati­on in January. The visits have spurred criticism over the cost of the weekend trips as well as the effect on local airports, businesses and traffic. Others, however, say the presidenti­al visits are good for the local economy.

There have also been several instances of fighter jets being scrambled to intercept planes that have strayed into the restricted airspace.

Protests both for and against Trump are expected to happen nationwide on Saturday, with local antiand pro-Trump rallies expected near Mar-a-Lago.

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