As the Electoral College vote on Monday affirmed Joe Biden’s victory in the 2020 presidential election, some of President Donald Trump’s neighbors are pushing for him not to return to Mar-a-Lago as his residence post-presidency.
Though Trump has yet to concede the election and refuses to do so, neighbors of the Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida, are telling him he cannot live there once he leaves the White House.
Neighbors of Trump’s private club wrote a letter, obtained by The Washington Post, which was sent to the town of Palm Beach. It was also addressed to the U.S. Secret Service. In the letter, it cites that in 1993 Trump signed an agreement that made Mar-a-Lago a private club instead of his private residence.
The attorney, on behalf of the neighbors, urges in the letter for the town to let Trump know he cannot make Mar-a-Lago his residence. It cites that this would “avoid an embarrassing situation” later if Trump moves there and is forced to leave.
The letter also reads:
“Palm Beach has many lovely estates for sale, and we are confident President Trump will find one which meets his needs.”
The Post notes that neighbors at Mar-a-Lago have complained previously about the disruptions there when Trump visits.
Glenn Zeitz, a nearby Palm Beach homeowner, who did not sign the letter, told the Post, “There’s absolutely no legal theory under which he can use that property as both a residence and a club.”
“Basically he’s playing a dead hand,” Zeitz added. “He’s not going to intimidate or bluff people because we’re going to be there.”
An anonymous spokesperson for the Trump business organization told the outlet, “There is no document or agreement in place that prohibits President Trump from using Mar-a-Lago as his residence.”
The president has gone to Mar-a-Lago at least 30 times since the start of his presidency. Trump cast his vote in the 2020 presidential election in West Palm Beach.
