Crime & Public Safety
Trump golf course arrest: guns, ammo found, sheriff says
Los Angeles County sheriff's officials said deputies found guns, ammunition and a bulletproof vest after arresting an armed man at President Donald Trump's golf course in Rancho Palos Verdes two days before Trump's Tuesday visit.
The sheriff's office identified the suspect as Jeanine John Taele, 38, of Downey, California. It said plainclothes federal agents spotted him Sunday afternoon walking through the golf course grounds, taking photos and videos and appearing to monitor security-planning activities.
During the detention, deputies recovered a 16-round magazine containing hollow-point ammunition from Taele's pants pocket, the sheriff's office said. Deputies then searched his vehicle and found a loaded pistol with a round chambered, along with another loaded magazine containing hollow-point ammunition.
Investigators from the sheriff's department and the FBI's counterterrorism unit later searched Taele's home. The sheriff's office said they found an assault-style rifle, a pistol, a bulletproof vest, high-capacity magazines, ammunition, two radios and multiple notebooks containing concerning statements.
Trump arrived by helicopter at the golf club Tuesday evening to attend a Republican National Committee fundraising dinner.
The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office will decide whether to file charges after investigators presented the case Tuesday morning.
Update
The suspect was identified as 38-year-old Jeanine John Taele of Downey, California.
Trump arrived by helicopter at the golf club Tuesday evening for a Republican National Committee fundraising dinner.
Deputies said they recovered hollow-point ammunition from the suspect's pocket and a loaded pistol and additional loaded magazine from the suspect's vehicle.
Investigators later searched Taele's home and reported finding weapons, a bulletproof vest, ammunition, radios and notebooks with concerning statements.
The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office will decide whether to file charges after investigators presented the case Tuesday morning.
Source note: AFP news report published on 5 August 2026 at 00:39:36 UTC.
Update
The sheriff's office identified the arrested man as a 38-year-old from Downey, California.
Police said plainclothes federal agents saw him walking through the golf course grounds taking photographs and videos.
Police said he appeared to monitor security-planning activities.
The arrest took place two days before President Donald Trump's expected visit to Los Angeles on Tuesday.
Source note: AFP news report published on 5 August 2026 at 00:13:26 UTC.
Uncertainty notes
No charges had been reported as filed in the supplied material.
The supplied material does not state Taele's intent or whether investigators allege a specific plot.
Source
AFP news report published on .