A heavily armed man was arrested on Sunday near Trump National Golf Course in Los Angeles ahead of the president’s planned visit.
The man was carrying firearms, ammo (including hollow point ammunition) and was monitoring President Trump’s security preparation.
President Trump arrived to Southern California on Tuesday for an RNC event.
“An armed suspect identified as Jeanine John Taele, 38, was arrested at Trump National Golf Course after allegedly monitoring security preparations ahead of President Trump’s visit, authorities said,” Fox News reported.
“Police said they later recovered an illegally-modified AR-style rifle, body armor, high-capacity magazines, ammunition and notebooks containing “concerning statements” from his home,” Fox News reported.
BREAKING: An armed suspect identified as Jeanine John Taele, 38, was arrested at Trump National Golf Course after allegedly monitoring security preparations ahead of President Trump’s visit, authorities said.
Police said they later recovered an illegally-modified AR-style rifle,…
— Fox News (@FoxNews) August 4, 2026
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said the male suspect, identified as 38-year-old Jeanine Taele, was observed walking around the golf course, taking photos and monitoring the security plans.
“On Sunday, August 2, 2026, at approximately 3:28 p.m., deputies assigned to the Lomita Sheriff’s Station responded to Trump National Golf Course in Rancho Palos Verdes after plain clothes Federal agents reported a suspicious individual on the property. The individual was observed walking throughout the golf course grounds taking photographs and videos and appearing to monitor security-planning activities,” the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said in a press release.
“Lomita Sheriff’s deputies contacted the individual, an adult male identified as 38-year-old Jeanine John Taele from Downey, and determined he was being investigated for robbery by the El Segundo Police Department. Deputies detained Taele and located his vehicle in a parking lot on the golf course. During the detention, deputies recovered a 16-round magazine containing hollow point ammunition from Taele’s pants pocket. Deputies subsequently searched Taele’s vehicle and recovered a loaded pistol with a round chambered, along with an additional loaded magazine containing hollow point ammunition,” LASD said.
Taele was arrested for carrying a concealed firearm (25400(a)(1) PC) and Possession of Armor-Piercing/Prohibited Ammunition (31310 PC).
During the search, investigators recovered:
• 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
• Multiple notebooks containing concerning statements
• Two radio signal devices
First Assistant US Attorney Bill Essayli said the FBI is reviewing the evidence and will provide more information when possible.
This is an active investigation. My office, along with @FBILosAngeles and @LosAngelesATF, is reviewing the evidence and will provide more information when possible. https://t.co/s42zirbljJ
— F.A. United States Attorney Bill Essayli (@USAttyEssayli) August 4, 2026
Update: Per Bill Essayli:
Jeanine John Taele, 38, of Downey, who was arrested at Trump National Golf Course Los Angeles in Rancho Palos Verdes, is charged in a federal criminal complaint with possession of an unregistered short-barreled rifle, a felony carrying a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in federal prison.
Taele was detained after being seen taking photos and video of security-planning activities ahead of President Trump’s visit to the golf club today.
LASD deputies found ammunition in Taele’s pocket, searched his vehicle, and seized a loaded pistol with a round chambered and a loaded magazine.
A search of Taele’s residence seized high-powered firearms, ammunition, body armor, and a notebook.
Taele is charged in Los Angeles Superior Court with firearms-related crimes and a 2025 robbery. He was granted $250,000 bail in that case.
He is expected to make his initial appearance in the United States District Court in Los Angeles soon after his transfer to federal custody.
Jeanine John Taele, 38, of Downey, who was arrested at Trump National Golf Course Los Angeles in Rancho Palos Verdes, is charged in a federal criminal complaint with possession of an unregistered short-barreled rifle, a felony carrying a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in… pic.twitter.com/oY3ISp8n6x
— F.A. United States Attorney Bill Essayli (@USAttyEssayli) August 5, 2026
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