President Donald Trump encountered an unexpected delay on Thursday night when he had to abandon his helicopter en route to his Florida golf club due to a reported flat tire.
The incident occurred shortly after 5 p.m. when Trump arrived at Miami International Airport aboard Air Force One. He briefly waved to the press before boarding Marine One, the helicopter designated for presidential use, for the short trip to his Doral golf club. However, the helicopter did not take off as planned; it was halted further down the runway when officials discovered that one of its tires was flat, according to the Daily Mail.
Wearing a bright red MAGA hat and a suit, Trump then walked across the tarmac to another helicopter. The first helicopter took off at 5:19 p.m., and despite the delay, Trump arrived safely at Doral at 5:35 p.m. After dining at his golf club, he was scheduled to attend the LIV Golf Tournament, where he planned to deliver a speech.
In a separate incident on the same day, a bomb squad was dispatched to the White House area after a suspicious package was found near the intersection of 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, approximately 550 yards from the White House. The Secret Service and D.C. police initiated an investigation into the potential explosive device, leading to a heavy police presence and the closure of nearby streets. Photos from the scene showed officers in bomb suits, although police later stated that the situation was under control.
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In other news, a judge in Boston found an ICE agent in contempt for detaining a suspect while he was on trial. ICE agent Brian Sullivan apprehended Wilson Martell-Lebron as he was leaving the courthouse, which the judge ruled violated Martell-Lebron’s rights to due process and a fair trial. Judge Mark Summerville dismissed the charge against Martell-Lebron for making false statements on his driver’s license application and subsequently filed a contempt charge against Sullivan.
Sullivan’s actions have drawn criticism, with Martell-Lebron’s lawyer describing the incident as “reprehensible.” The case highlights ongoing tensions in Boston, which has declared itself a “sanctuary city” for undocumented immigrants, limiting local police cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. Mayor Michelle Wu has emphasized her commitment to making Boston a welcoming place for immigrants, while federal officials, including Trump’s border czar Tom Homan, have criticized the city for not cooperating in deportations, particularly of individuals charged with violent crimes.
Martell-Lebron, a Dominican Republic native, is currently being held at the Plymouth detention facility for allegedly being an undocumented immigrant. His lawyer noted that the abrupt arrest during the trial prevented him from exercising his constitutional right to a jury trial.
