LOS ANGELES (AP) — A man was arrested Sunday at President Donald Trump’s golf course near Los Angeles while carrying ammunition and with a firearm in his vehicle. He appeared to be observing security arrangements ahead of Trump’s fundraiser scheduled for Tuesday, authorities reported.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department identified the man as Jeanine John Taele, 38, who was found taking photos and videos with a 16-round magazine of ammunition in his pocket. A search of his truck in the golf course parking lot revealed a loaded 9mm pistol, binoculars, and a badge labeled “security protection agent,” according to the U.S. attorney’s office in Los Angeles.
Authorities conducted a search of Taele’s home in Downey on Monday and discovered a rifle, other firearms, magazines, ammunition, body armor, and notebooks containing “concerning statements,” but details on these statements were not disclosed, federal officials stated.
The arrest was announced by the sheriff’s department as Trump was preparing to attend a Republican National Committee dinner on Tuesday at the Trump National Golf Course in Rancho Palos Verdes, located south of Los Angeles.
“Mr. Taele’s troubling behavior at the President’s public golf course merely days before the President was expected to arrive raised serious red flags for law enforcement,” said Patrick Grandy, the assistant director in charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles office, in a statement. “There is no room for error, particularly in light of previous attempts on President Trump’s life.”
Last year a jury found a man guilty of attempting to assassinate Trump at his Florida country club. Additionally, while running as a candidate in 2024, Trump narrowly avoided an assassination attempt by a shooter positioned on a roof at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
Before Tuesday’s event, federal agents conducted a security evaluation last Friday at the Trump course near Los Angeles. A person later identified as Taele was spotted walking around the course, wearing an earpiece, and capturing photographs and videos of the agents’ activities, according to authorities.
Taele initially left the course but returned on Sunday, approaching federal agents and claiming to be employed by the State Department for a security detail. He mentioned having a loaded weapon in his vehicle, leading to his arrest following a search, federal officials indicated.
Taele faces several felony charges, including second-degree robbery, possession of a large-capacity magazine, and having a short-barreled rifle or shotgun. Additionally, he was charged with a misdemeanor for carrying a concealed firearm in a vehicle.
He pleaded not guilty to all charges on Monday and has been ordered to stay away from the golf course and refrain from possessing weapons. His bail was set at $250,000.
It remains unclear if Taele has legal representation, and family members could not be reached for comment.
