White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt praised the actions of the U.S. Secret Service after agents fatally shot an armed intruder who entered the secure perimeter of President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate overnight, calling the response swift and decisive and criticizing Democrats amid the ongoing Department of Homeland Security funding dispute.
In the middle of the night while most Americans were asleep, the United States Secret Service acted quickly and decisively to neutralize a crazy person, armed with a gun and a gas canister, who intruded President Trump’s home. Federal law enforcement are working 24/7 to keep our… https://t.co/MYTsHqR4cx
— Karoline Leavitt (@PressSec) February 22, 2026
“In the middle of the night while most Americans were asleep, the United States Secret Service acted quickly and decisively to neutralize a crazy person, armed with a gun and a gas canister, who intruded President Trump’s home,” Leavitt wrote. “Federal law enforcement are working 24/7 to keep our country safe and protect all Americans. It’s shameful and reckless that Democrats have chosen to shut down their Department.”
The incident occurred around 1:30 a.m. Sunday at Mar-a-Lago, President Trump’s residence in Palm Beach, Florida. According to a statement released by the U.S. Secret Service, a male in his early 20s was observed near the north gate of the property carrying what appeared to be a shotgun and a fuel can after unlawfully entering the secure perimeter.
An armed man was shot & killed by U.S. Secret Service agents & @PBCountySheriff after unlawfully entering the secure perimeter at Mar-a-Lago early this morning. A press briefing with additional details will be held at 9:00 a.m with @FBI and Palm Beach County. pic.twitter.com/jAXhdb1xEL
— Anthony Guglielmi (@AJGuglielmi) February 22, 2026
Secret Service agents and a deputy from the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office confronted the individual. Sheriff Rick Bradshaw told reporters that the man was ordered to drop the weapon and the gas can. “At which time he put down the gas can, raised the shotgun to a shooting position,” Bradshaw said. Shots were then fired by law enforcement during the encounter. The suspect was pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities said no Secret Service personnel or sheriff’s deputies were injured. There were no Secret Service protectees present at the property at the time of the incident.
The individual’s identity has not been released pending notification of next of kin. Law enforcement officials said the suspect was from North Carolina and had been reported missing by his family days earlier. Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi told reporters that investigators believe the man purchased the shotgun after traveling south from his home state. The box for the weapon was recovered in his vehicle.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Secret Service and the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office are jointly investigating the shooting, including the suspect’s background, actions, potential motive and the use of force by law enforcement. In accordance with agency policy, the Secret Service agents involved have been placed on routine administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.
President Trump has not publicly commented on the incident.
The episode comes amid heightened political tensions in Washington over funding for the Department of Homeland Security. Senate Democrats recently blocked a House-passed DHS funding bill, triggering a partial shutdown of the department. The standoff has centered on disagreements over immigration enforcement and proposed reforms to Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Leavitt’s remarks tied the Mar-a-Lago incident to that broader funding dispute, arguing that federal law enforcement agencies operate continuously to protect the country and its leaders. The Secret Service, which falls under DHS, is responsible for protecting the president and other designated officials, as well as safeguarding certain national security sites.
As the investigation into Sunday’s shooting continues, federal and local authorities have said additional details will be provided as they become available.
