Multiple civilian aircraft violated restricted airspace over former President Donald Trump’s golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey, prompting US fighter jets to intercept them. The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) confirmed the incidents occurred on Saturday, with five separate violations reported. The most significant event took place at around 2:39pm local time, when a civilian aircraft entered a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) zone activated due to Trump’s presence in the area. NORAD scrambled an F-16 fighter jet, which executed a standard ‘headbutt maneuver’ to alert the pilot and safely escort the aircraft out of the restricted zone.
This interception was part of a broader response, as the Bedminster area experienced five separate TFR violations on Saturday, with three incidents occurring prior to the ‘headbutt’ event and an additional one later in the day. NORAD did not release details about the aircraft or pilots involved. NORAD posted on X, reminding pilots to check FAA NOTAMs before flying, especially NOTAMs 1353, 1358, 2246, and 2247, which are relevant for flights near Bedminster. The command emphasized that its layered air defense system, including radars, satellites, and fighter jets, remains active in detecting and responding to unauthorized incursions.
Trump has made Bedminster one of his primary residences since returning to office in January, leading the FAA to frequently designate restricted airspace in the vicinity whenever the president is present. Pilots who violate TFR zones risk being intercepted, fined, questioned by authorities, or facing license suspension. The incident underscores the heightened security measures in place to protect high-profile individuals and the importance of complying with air traffic regulations to avoid legal and safety consequences.