On Thursday afternoon, former President Donald Trump left his long-standing estate in Bedminster, New Jersey, and headed to Washington DC for a scheduled 4 p.m. arraignment.
Earlier in the week, President Biden’s US special counsel, Jack Smith, filed a second indictment against Trump. The charges included conspiracy to defraud the United States, conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, obstruction of an official proceeding, attempt to obstruct an official proceeding, and conspiracy against rights.
Trump appeared in court and entered a plea of not guilty.
Over the past year, the 77-year-old Trump has utilized his New Jersey estate as a primary residence while facing various legal actions, including charges by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr. Trump was charged with felony counts related to falsifying business records, allegedly connected to his failure to disclose a $130,000 payment to former adult film actress Stormy Daniels, often referred to as “hush money.”
Throughout his presidency from 2016 to 2020, Trump frequently used his Bedminster Trump National Golf Club as both a vacation destination and his secondary residence, often referred to as his sanctuary.
Donald Trump purchased a golf course spanning over 500 acres back in 2002, and he has since used it as his second home. He often left the White House to visit the Bedminster property, which features a 24-hour security system.
In 2002, Trump acquired the 506-acre estate known as Lamington Farm, which he transformed into a golf course and country club. The estate initially included a Georgian-style red brick manor house and 14 single-family building lots. Trump opened the club in 2004, and it later hosted his daughter Ivanka’s wedding to Jared Kushner.
The estate now boasts numerous amenities, including two 18-hole golf courses, a large heated pool, tennis courts, and a private helipad. However, membership at the club comes at a hefty annual cost of around $300,000, affording members privileges at 15 other Trump-affiliated clubs worldwide.
Despite his ongoing legal battles, Trump is expected to return to his Bedminster property after the conclusion of his arraignment in Washington.
Throughout his presidential term, Trump revamped his living quarters on the estate, staying in a cottage near the club’s pool. The cottage’s expansion was approved by local authorities, and Trump continues to make use of this living space, which overlooks the sprawling property.
Prior to Trump’s ownership, the Lamington Farm estate had served as the country retreat of automaker John DeLorean for 19 years.