Congressman suggests Mar-a-Lago should be ‘shut down’ after Republicans host ‘super-spreader’ party

A Florida congressman has called for fines and the closure of Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort following a New Year’s Eve party that took place during the coronavirus pandemic.

Footage of the party was posted online by revellers who included members of the president’s family, staff and advisors. Vanilla Ice and Mike Love of The Beach Boys reportedly performed.

The gathering at Trump-owned private club Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, took place in violation of local mask order that requires people to wear a mask in public spaces when you cannot social distance and while working in or frequenting a business. This is in place to help prevent the spread of Covid-19.

The event has angered many – including Florida state Representative Omari Hardy – who are outraged at the lack of concern for the pandemic that has killed hundreds of thousands in the country, with infection rates still rising.

Rep. Hardy took to Twitter to condemn the “super-spreader” event where revelers were seen inside without masks on and with no regard for social distancing in order to limit potential virus transmission.

He also pointed out that Mar-a-Lago is a business and just because it belongs to the president doesn't make it exempt from rules on masks in place to keep people safe.

In a letter written to the assistant county administrator to convey his disappointment, Hardy wrote:

“I recognise that the president is a powerful person and that his business, Mar-a-Lago, is a daunting target for enforcement. But as far as I know, the law still applies to the president and his businesses. The presidency does not confer on the president and his friends a special privilege to endanger the health and welfare of Palm Beach County’s residents.”

He suggested: “It is common knowledge that the president hosts a New Year's Eve celebration at Mar-a-Lago every year. I wonder why the County was not prepared to enforce its mask mandate at the New Year's Eve celebration hosted at Mar-a-Lago last night.”

In his final points, he explicitly asked if enforcement action would be taken against the resort, if the maximum fines would be handed out and whether the resort would be shut down for “consistently flouting” the mask mandate.

Hardy knows exactly what it’s like to wear a mask, as he had to wear one on his own wedding day.

At least someone still cares about the safety of others.