On Sunday, NORAD F-16 fighter jets intercepted two aircraft that were violating flight restrictions over President Trump’s golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey.
President Trump was present at the golf club when the planes were intercepted.
Footage of the wild moment is going viral online.
Watch it here:
In a statement, NORAD announced that multiple aircraft were safely escorted out of the area:
NORAD F-16s intercepted multiple general aviation aircraft today that violated temporary flight restrictions over Bedminster, NJ.
— North American Aerospace Defense Command (@NORADCommand) August 9, 2026
All aircraft were safely escorted out of the area by NORAD aircraft.
Pilots: check your Notice to Airmen (NOTAMS) and FAA Temporary Flight… https://t.co/yac5sDTp1j
Additional, temporary flight restrictions were in place in the region over the golf club due to the president’s visit for the LIV Golf New York tournament.
Fox News explained:
The temporary flight restrictions were in place over the Bedminster area, where President Donald Trump was expected to spend the weekend at his golf club as it hosted the four-day LIV Golf New York tournament.
The interception was captured on video, showing the dramatic moment an F-16 fighter jet closed in on what appeared to be a small Cessna aircraft near Jefferson Township, outside Bedminster.
Ahead of Trump landing in New Jersey, NORAD previously said that it would enforce multiple FAA-established temporary flight restrictions over the region this weekend.
Pilots and the public were also told that U.S. Army ground-based defense assets may be present in the area, operating under the Continental U.S. NORAD Region as part of the command's routine, layered defense.
“These systems are operating under NORAD authorities, constitute a routine component of the command's layered defense posture and work in tandem with the command's airborne assets to monitor and protect the airspace,” information published by the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service said.
At this time, it is unclear whether the two aircraft that violated these flight restrictions were merely oblivious, or if something more malicious was going on.
But, we know that this isn’t the first time a similar incident has taken place.
The New York Post noted:
There have been numerous instances of airspace violations near Trump that have prompted NORAD fighter jets to intervene during his second term. In May, for example, F-16 fighter jets deployed flares at Palm Beach International Airport hours before the president was set to take off.
While it is unknown whether the latest airspace violation was nefarious, it comes against the backdrop of a string of security scares and assassination attempts against Trump.
President Trump’s life has been in danger too many times to count…
Regardless of these pilots’ intentions today, it’s good that NORAD didn’t take any chances.
Luckily, President Trump was kept safe.
In fact, he appears to have had a wonderful time at the golf club, where he made the winning shot in the Club Championship today!
Watch this:
"It's called TALENT, and I have it, and they don't!"@POTUS celebrated a club championship win at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey, on Sunday.
— Fox News (@FoxNews) August 3, 2026
The president said he shot a 2-under 70 to win his 40th club championship.
"Unlike the rest of the field, I'm given… pic.twitter.com/eeNXJZgPSu
But, some folks online are calling for the pilots who violated the airspace to face additional penalties for their actions:
These pilots need a serious fine or loss of license. They're clearly doing this on purpose
— Troy1911 (@TroySmith7667) August 9, 2026
This is insane. It can't be accidental. Pilots know restrictions and fed needs to charge every one of them with fines, imprisonment, and license revoked.
— Followthetruthalways (@Followthetrutht) August 9, 2026
Start holding these pilots accountable.
— Bo (@Slatedgray) August 9, 2026
What are your thoughts?
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