The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) scrambled F-16 fighter jets on Sunday to intercept two civilian aircraft that had entered temporarily restricted airspace over Bedminster, New Jersey, while President Donald Trump was present at his private golf club. According to a NORAD statement, the general aviation planes were escorted safely out of the prohibited zone. The command did not disclose whether the incursion was deliberate or accidental, stating that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) would make that determination.

The temporary flight restriction was in place because Trump was spending the weekend at Trump National Golf Club Bedminster, roughly 64 kilometres west of New York, and attending a LIV Golf tournament there. NORAD reminded all pilots that they are required to consult Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs) issued by the FAA before each flight to remain aware of such restrictions. The intercepted aircraft were described as general aviation, meaning they were not part of military or commercial airline operations.

Viewed from Washington, the incident underscores the persistent challenge of enforcing presidential airspace security, even as the protective measures functioned as designed. The F-16s, operating under NORAD’s Continental U.S. Region, intercepted the planes and directed them away without further incident. No injuries or damage were reported, and the White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the matter.

The FAA is expected to investigate the circumstances of the violation, including whether the pilots failed to check active NOTAMs or made a navigational error. Trump later departed Bedminster aboard Air Force One to return to Washington. NORAD has not provided additional details on the identities of the pilots or the specific flight paths involved.