Man Arrested at Trump Golf Club Ahead of Presidential Visit
Jeanine John Taele charged with possessing an unregistered short-barreled rifle; authorities found concerning statements and radio devices.
Image: Eddie Pollard / AI
Callum Smith
Jeanine John Taele, 38, was arrested at Trump National Golf Club Los Angeles.
Police discovered notebooks containing 'concerning statements' and two radio devices at Taele's Downey residence. An illegally modified AR-style rifle, a .45-caliber pistol, body armor, high-capacity magazines, and bulk pistol ammunition were found there.
Deputies found hollow-point ammunition in Taele's pocket and a loaded 9mm pistol with a round chambered in his vehicle at the golf club.
The arrest occurred days before Donald Trump’s scheduled visit to the golf club for a Republican National Committee fundraiser.
Federal authorities claim Taele was scouting President Donald Trump's Los Angeles golf club ahead of his visit.
Investigators claim Taele approached federal agents, falsely posing as a State Department employee on a security detail.
The FBI's Los Angeles field office claims Taele's conduct at the course alarmed authorities, leading to the discovery of an unregistered firearm, a loaded weapon, and other concerning items.
No credible threat to our communities.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, however, stated there was "no credible threat to our communities."
The FBI, US Secret Service, ATF, and the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department are investigating the case.
Investigators claim Taele's motives are still being determined.
This incident draws parallels to the September 2024 assassination attempt against Trump, when Ryan Routh was caught staking out Trump's West Palm Beach golf course with a rifle.
Routh was sentenced to life in prison for attempting to assassinate Trump at a Florida golf course.
Trump also survived a shooting at a Butler, Pennsylvania, rally in July 2024 that bloodied his ear and killed a spectator.
A gunman stormed the White House Correspondents' Dinner in Washington, DC, in April, armed with a shotgun and knives in an alleged bid to kill Trump.