Trump Adds Secret Service Robot Dog to Mar-a-Lago Security Detail

Donald Trump has reportedly ramped up security at his Mar-a-Lago estate by deploying a robotic “guard dog” alongside his Secret Service detail.

Photos taken Friday show the four-legged, mechanical sentry roaming the grounds of the Palm Beach property, marked with a “DO NOT PET” warning on its side.

The robot belongs to the United States Secret Service. MEGA for NY Post

The remote-controlled robot, created by Boston Dynamics, is now part of the Secret Service’s operations to safeguard Trump, who recently became President-elect after his election victory over Vice President Kamala Harris.

A spokesperson for the agency confirmed the addition, noting, “Safeguarding the President-elect is a top priority.” They declined to share specific details about the robot’s capabilities but highlighted its use of “surveillance technology and advanced sensors” that support the agency’s protective functions.

Boston Dynamics engineered the robot. MEGA for NY Post

Trump, who has survived two assassination attempts during his campaign, has been working from Mar-a-Lago to assemble his administration’s staff. The robotic guard dog serves as an additional layer of security, as robot “hounds” gain popularity among law enforcement and emergency services nationwide. They’re often used to minimise human risk by performing duties like reconnaissance and delivering supplies in hazardous situations.

The robot dog was filmed patrolling outside Mar-a-Lago on Friday. MEGA for NY Post

The NYPD, for example, incorporated three such robots into its unit last year, branded as “Digidogs” by Mayor Eric Adams. Although the initiative initially faced backlash on social media—with critics likening the robots to those from the dystopian show Black Mirror’—its value was proven in the aftermath of a deadly parking garage collapse in Manhattan, where one of the $75,000 robots was sent into the rubble to search for survivors.

A US Coast Guard boat patrols outside the Mar-a-Lago Club on November 8, 2024. AFP via Getty Images

President-elect Donald Trump survived two assassination attempts while campaigning this year. Getty Images

Robot dogs have also been utilised in military contexts, such as by Ukraine’s armed forces, which deployed the hounds to perform reconnaissance missions and deliver supplies on the front lines without endangering soldiers.

The robot dog is assigned to the Technical Security Division of the United States Secret Service. MEGA for NY Post

Trump’s decision to add a robot dog to his security detail underscores the expanding role of advanced technology in high-profile security and public safety, offering innovative ways to protect individuals without risking human lives.