Who’s Alfie Oakes? He is a Florida farmer-slash-grocery retailer owner-slash MAGA Trump supporter who’s getting nationwide consideration − once more.

Two days after Election Day 2024, federal and state legislation enforcement automobiles surrounded Oakes’ house in North Naples, Florida, and his enterprise in Immokalee, Florida. Half grocery, half bakery, half butcher store, half bar, Oakes’ $30 million Seed to Desk is the clubhouse for a rising group of Make America Nice Once more Republicans in addition to a magnet for space foodies attracted by natural broccoli and craft beer.

Earlier than the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, residents of Lee County and Collier County, Florida, had been conversant in the political firebrand that’s Alfie Oakes. And on the time, he made headlines as an anti-vaxxer, for feedback he made about George Floyd and Black Lives Matter and for submitting an anti-mask lawsuit in his hometown. Oakes additionally organized bus journeys to the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, for the Riot − or what he known as “probably the most peaceable lovely demonstration from properly over a million those that I’ve ever witnessed,” in response to the Naples Each day Information, a USA TODAY Community newspaper.

As of Friday, Nov. 8, a day after state and federal legislation enforcement visited Oakes’ house and enterprise, the explanations stay unknown. Nevertheless, when reached by cellphone, Oakes declined to remark to the Naples Each day Information, apart from saying, “We’re trying into it, however every part’s good.”

On Thursday, Nov. 7, many Florida Freeway Patrol automobiles had been noticed on the home and enterprise, in response to WINK Information, however Florida Freeway Patrol directed inquiries to the U.S. Secret Service.

The Secret Service declined to remark. 

“The U.S. Secret Service is not going to affirm the existence or the standing of an investigation,” the company stated by way of e mail.

Oakes Farm troubles?Alfie Oakes faces potential property seizure by Farm Credit score after foreclosing on $4.5 million loans

Alfie Oakes described as ‘our mini-Trump’ and ‘MAGA Grocery King of Southwest Florida’

David Silverberg, a political pundit in Naples, Florida, and former managing editor of The Hill, described Alfie Oakes as “our mini-Trump,” labeling him “the MAGA Grocery King of Southwest Florida” in a 2022 Mom Jones story.

Who’s Alfie Oakes? What to know

• Most lately, in Collier County, the farmer and grocery retailer proprietor held a hurricane occasion at Seed to Desk forward of Hurricane Milton’s landfall, providing hurricane specials on food and drinks. He informed the Naples Each day Information that “the vitality was wonderful. We had one of many busiest meals and bar gross sales nights we’ve ever had within the historical past of Seed to Desk. It was unbelievable.”
• Alfie Oakes owns Oakes Farms, one of many largest agribusinesses in South Florida, which began when its namesake was a 15-year-old promoting watermelons from the again of a pickup. Oakes Farms has grown right into a 3,500-employee enterprise that ranges from supplying navy cafeterias to promoting linen sundresses.
• Although Alfie Oakes hasn’t run for a authorities place, he holds elected workplace as Collier County’s Republican State Committeeman.

Click on right here to learn an in depth Naples Each day Information profile on Alfie Oakes.

(This story was up to date to incorporate new info: A photograph gallery was added.)