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President Donald Trump’s visit to his New Jersey home in Bedminster over the July 4th weekend led to chaos in the skies as fighter jets forced local aircraft out of restricted airspace, according to the U.S. military.
Trump and First Lady Melania Trump arrived at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster on Friday, July 4 and returned to the White House on Sunday evening, according to his public schedule.
The rumble of fighter jets took over the skies in New Jersey as the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) worked feverishly to intercept nearly a dozen civilian aircrafts that violated temporary flight restrictions put in place when the president is at his Bedminster home. Pilots flying NORAD’s F-16 fighter jets carried out “headbutt” maneuvers to get the attention of the wayward pilots. The move places the F-16 in front of the civilian plane as the military jet signals the pilot to follow them or change course.
Here’s what happened, how many planes violated the airspace, a video of how an F-16 intercepts a civilian aircraft and more.
Why were there fighter jets over NJ?
President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump were at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster for the July 4th holiday.
Ahead of Trump’s visits, the Federal Aviation Administration issues temporary flight restrictions. Under the “VIP movement” flight restrictions issued for Trump’s travel, there are two rings of protection: A 10-nautical-mile inner ring where most flights are banned, minus approved flights and regularly scheduled commercial passenger jets and cargo; and a 30-nautical-mile radius, where aircraft can pass through but cannot “loiter,” according to the FAA. Those that do pass through must have a specific flight plan filed with air traffic control.
How many planes were intercepted?
There were 11 civilian aircrafts that violated the TFR over President Donald Trump’s golf course in Bedminster between July 4 and July 6, according to a statement from NORAD.
At least five interceptions took place Saturday, July 5, with the “headbutt” maneuver required on one civilian aircraft at around 2:39 p.m. At least three violations occurred on Sunday, July 6, the first at 10:30 a.m.
Pilots were reminded to check the FAA’s Notice to Airmen (NOTAMs) before heading out, with NORAD posting on the X social media page: “These TFRs are in place for a reason. No excuses! Stay sharp, stay legal and stay out of restricted airspace.”
Where is Bedminster, NJ?
The Trump National Golf Club is located in Bedminster in Somerset County, roughly 40 miles west of Trump Tower in Manhattan, where President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump’s son, Barron Trump, has been living while attending NYU. The township is 27 square miles and had a population of just over 8,100 in 2023, according to U.S. Census data.
Trump purchased the 520-acre property, known as Lamington Farms, for roughly $35 million in 2002. During his first term, Trump spent a considerable amount of time at Bedminster, and its often referred to as his “Summer White House,” often used from springtime through September.
Video: F16 fighter jet intercepts plane
The below video shared by NORAD shows how the pilots intercept general aviation aircraft that have violated Temporary Flight Restrictions. In the exercise, a general Cessna aircraft is shown simulating an air space breach, with a NORAD F-16 and F-15 fighter aircrafts intercepting and escorting the aircraft out of the air space.
When is Trump in NJ next?
President Donald Trump is expected to return to New Jersey this weekend, July 11 through July 13, according to an FAA Safety Team notice reporting “VIP movement” over Morristown Airport and Trump’s Bedminster golf club.
Lori Comstock is a New Jersey-based journalist with the Mid-Atlantic Connect Team.
