“Suspicious Individual” With Gun In Car Arrested At Trump’s L.A. Golf Club Ahead Of Presidential Visit

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s investigators today announced the weekend arrest of a man who was allegedly taking photos and videos at President Donald Trump‘s Rancho Palos Verdes golf club and “appearing to monitor security-planning activities.” Trump is scheduled to speak at a Republican National Committee fundraiser at the club tonight. During the Saturday arrest, Jeanine John Taele, 38, of Downey, was also found to be carrying hollow-point ammunition in his pocket and a loaded weapon in his vehicle, which was parked at the Trump National Golf Club, according to the sheriff’s department. A subsequent search of his home found additional weapons, body armor, high-capacity ammunition magazines and “multiple notebooks containing concerning statements,” according to officials. It was unclear if the “concerning statements” included any threats of violence toward Trump. There have been multiple similar incidents involving the president in the past few years, including what the FBI termed “an attempted assassination” at his West Palm Beach golf course in 2024. That came after an assassination attempt in Butler, PA in July of that same year. Watch on Deadline Taele was being held without bail, according to county jail records. Sheriff’s officials said they presented the investigation to the District Attorney’s Office Tuesday for consideration of criminal charges. According to the sheriff’s department, deputies were called to the Trump National Golf Club in Rancho Palos Verdes around 3:30 p.m. Sunday by federal agents who spotted a “suspicious individual” on the property. Deputies detained Taele and discovered he was being investigated by police in El Segundo on suspicion of robbery. While detaining Taele, deputies found a 16-round magazine containing hollow-point ammunition in a pants pocket. Deputies also searched his vehicle and found “a loaded pistol with a round chambered, along with an additional loaded magazine containing hollow point ammunition,” according to the sheriff’s department. Taele was arrested and booked on suspicion of carrying a concealed firearm and possession of armor-piercing/prohibited ammunition. Sheriff’s detectives assigned to the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force served a warrant Monday at Taele’s home. According to the sheriff’s department, investigators found: — an illegally modified AR platform rifle— a 1911 .45-caliber pistol— an AR platform upper receiver— body armor— high-capacity magazines— bulk pistol and rifle ammunition— two radio signal devices. “Currently, investigators have identified no credible threat to our communities,” according to a sheriff’s department statement. `”However, this case underscores the importance of vigilance, strong partnerships with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, and the proactive steps taken to identify and investigate suspicious activity before it can escalate.” According to the White House, Trump is expected to make remarks tonight on his administration’s economic policies and successes in reducing crime. He is also expected to level criticism at Gavin Newsom. City News Service contributed to this report.