LOS ANGELES: An armed man was arrested at US President Donald Trump’s golf course in California two days before the president’s scheduled visit, authorities said, after he was allegedly seen photographing security arrangements around the property.
The suspect, identified by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office as 38-year-old Jeanine John Taele of Downey, California, was detained on Sunday at Trump’s golf course in Rancho Palos Verdes.
According to the sheriff’s office, plainclothes federal agents observed the man walking around the golf course taking photographs and videos while appearing to monitor security planning activities.
A man allegedly armed with a pistol was arrested after he was seen taking photos and videos of the Trump National Golf Club grounds in Los Angeles County over the weekend, authorities announced on Tuesday.https://t.co/pz6QluuKzG pic.twitter.com/ZhMKhOL1oU
— ABC News (@ABC) August 5, 2026
Trump arrived at the golf club by helicopter on Tuesday evening to attend a fundraising dinner hosted by the Republican National Committee.
Weapons Recovered
Authorities said deputies found a 16-round magazine loaded with hollow-point ammunition in the suspect’s pocket during the arrest.
A subsequent search of his vehicle uncovered a loaded pistol and another loaded magazine containing hollow-point ammunition.
Investigators from the sheriff’s department and the FBI’s counterterrorism unit later searched the suspect’s home, where they recovered an assault-style rifle, a pistol, a bulletproof vest, high-capacity magazines, ammunition, two radios and several notebooks containing what officials described as concerning statements.
The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office is reviewing the case to determine whether criminal charges will be filed.
Heightened Security Around Trump
The incident comes after several security threats targeting Trump since he launched his latest presidential campaign.
In July 2024, a gunman opened fire during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, killing one audience member and grazing Trump in the ear.
Later that year, another armed suspect was arrested near Trump’s golf course in West Palm Beach while the president was playing.
In April this year, Trump was evacuated from a reception in Washington after an armed man attempted to enter the venue, leading to a shootout with security personnel.
California Visit
Trump’s visit to the Rancho Palos Verdes golf club was closed to the media.
The president is expected to attend a Republican fundraising event and promote his administration’s record ahead of the US midterm elections.
Hours before Trump’s arrival, California Governor Gavin Newsom called on the president to release long-delayed federal reconstruction funding for communities affected by the Los Angeles wildfires, saying disaster recovery should remain above partisan politics.
