Armed man held near Trump's golf club; weapons and 'troubling' notes found
A 38-year-old man was detained near Donald Trump's golf club in California after filming the area; he was found with ammunition, a loaded pistol, and later at his home, multiple weapons and notebooks containing 'troubling statements.'
Days before U.S. President Donald Trump was expected at his golf club in California, security personnel flagged a man who was photographing and filming the property where preparations for the president’s visit were underway. The incident occurred at Trump National Golf Club in Rancho Palos Verdes, near Los Angeles, two days before a Republican National Committee dinner that Trump was scheduled to attend.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department identified the man as 38-year-old Jeanine John Taele. According to officials, he appeared to be observing security preparations. A check found a 16-round magazine with ammunition on him, and a loaded pistol was discovered in his car.
A search of his home in Downey the following day turned up multiple firearms, magazines, and ammunition, along with bulletproof vests and notebooks containing what the sheriff’s department called 'troubling statements.' The contents have not been disclosed.
Authorities have not said Taele was planning an attack on Trump or the event, and they stressed that there is currently no credible threat to the public. Taele faces several charges, including second-degree robbery, possession of a large-capacity magazine, possession of a short-barreled rifle or shotgun, and carrying a concealed firearm in a vehicle. He has pleaded not guilty. Bail was set at $250,000, and he was ordered to stay away from Trump’s golf club and to refrain from possessing weapons.
It also emerged that Taele was already under investigation for a separate robbery case at the time of his arrest. Despite the incident, the RNC dinner went ahead as planned, and Trump was expected to arrive for the event. The case has drawn added attention because in 2025, a jury convicted a man who had attempted to kill Trump at his Florida golf club.
