Trump Forced to Ditch Helicopter After ‘Serious’ Malfunction

On Thursday evening, former President Donald Trump had to abandon a helicopter trip en route to his Florida golf resort due to what was described as a “serious” mechanical issue — a flat tire.

Trump had just landed at Miami International Airport around 5 p.m. after disembarking from Air Force One. He briefly paused to wave and raise his fist toward the gathered press before boarding a helicopter, known as Marine One when the president is aboard, headed for his property in Doral.

However, the aircraft never left the ground. Officials noticed a flat tire and halted the takeoff, according to the Daily Mail.

Wearing a bright red MAGA hat and his signature suit, Trump was then seen walking across the tarmac to board a different helicopter. The new aircraft took off at 5:19 p.m.

Despite the technical hiccup, Trump arrived at his destination safely at 5:35 p.m. after only a short delay, DailyMail.com reported from the scene as part of the press pool. After dinner at the Doral golf resort, Trump was scheduled to attend the LIV Golf Tournament and deliver remarks.

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Meanwhile, a separate incident occurred near the White House the same day, as law enforcement responded to reports of a suspicious package.

A bomb squad was deployed Thursday after the discovery of a possible explosive device close to the White House grounds. Multiple reports stated that the package was found near 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue — roughly 550 yards from the executive residence.

According to images shared on social media, the area around the Treasury Department was placed on lockdown, with a strong police presence and several streets cordoned off. Officers equipped with bomb suits were spotted at the scene, the UK’s Mirror reported.

Authorities later confirmed that the situation was under control, though no further details were immediately released.

Earlier this week in Boston, a federal immigration agent was held in contempt of court after arresting a man during his trial — a move a judge called a serious violation of constitutional rights.

ICE agent Brian Sullivan detained Wilson Martell-Lebron outside the courthouse last week. But on Monday, Boston Municipal Court Judge Mark Summerville ruled that the arrest violated the defendant’s rights to due process and a fair trial, Associated Press reported.

“It’s a case of violating a defendant’s right to present at trial and confront witnesses against him,” Summerville stated. “It couldn’t be more serious.”

As a result, the judge dismissed the charge against Martell-Lebron — allegedly making false statements on a driver’s license form — and filed a contempt motion against the ICE agent. Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden is now reviewing whether to pursue charges.

“It’s reprehensible,” said Ryan Sullivan, Martell-Lebron’s attorney. “Law enforcement agents have a job to see justice is done... There is no greater injustice in my mind than the government arresting someone, without identifying themselves, and preventing them from exercising their constitutionally guaranteed right to a jury trial.”

This incident adds to growing tensions in Boston, a self-declared “sanctuary city,” as ICE agents increase their activity in the area. City officials have long limited cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.

Former acting ICE Director Tom Homan and congressional Republicans have criticized Boston’s policies, arguing they protect violent offenders. In contrast, Democratic Mayor Michelle Wu, who is running for reelection, reaffirmed her commitment to keeping the city “welcoming” for immigrants, according to the AP.

Sullivan described how Martell-Lebron, originally from the Dominican Republic and living with family in Massachusetts, was abruptly taken by ICE agents, who didn’t identify themselves. He was reportedly placed into a truck and driven away while his trial had just begun, with opening statements and witness testimonies underway.

Now detained at the Plymouth County facility, Martell-Lebron is being held on immigration charges. Sullivan emphasized that had ICE allowed him to finish the trial, the outcome could have been different.

“What we were challenging is that they arrested him in the middle of his trial and did not return him,” he said. “If he had been brought to court on Friday morning by ICE, we would not have moved to dismiss. We would not be asking for sanctions. We would have just finished the trial.”