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Published 11:24 05 Aug 2026 GMT
New details have emerged after a man was arrested at one of Donald Trump's California golf courses just days before the President was due to attend a high-profile Republican fundraiser.
Jeanine John Taele, 38, was allegedly found carrying a loaded firearm and ammunition before investigators later uncovered what they described as a significant cache of weapons at his home.
According to court documents, federal agents first encountered Taele on July 31 while carrying out a security assessment at Trump National Golf Club in Rancho Palos Verdes, where Trump was scheduled to headline a Republican National Committee fundraising dinner.
Investigators claim Taele was seen walking around the course wearing an earpiece while taking photographs and recording videos of officers preparing security measures ahead of the President's visit.
Although he initially left the property, authorities say he returned two days later, prompting golf course staff to alert federal agents after recognizing him.
Court documents allege Taele approached agents and falsely claimed he was a US State Department employee assigned to assist with security operations. Investigators say he later acknowledged there was a loaded firearm inside his vehicle parked at the golf club.
According to the Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputies found a loaded magazine in Taele's pocket before searching his pickup truck, where they allegedly recovered a loaded handgun along with additional ammunition.
The following day, investigators searched his home in Downey, where they say they discovered an extensive collection of weapons and tactical equipment.
Authorities allege the search uncovered an illegally modified AR-style rifle, a .45-caliber pistol, body armor, high-capacity magazines, and large quantities of ammunition.
Detectives also reported finding notebooks containing "concerning statements" as well as two radio communication devices.
Taele was initially arrested on suspicion of carrying a concealed firearm and possessing prohibited ammunition.
He has since been federally charged with possession of an unregistered short-barreled rifle, an offence that carries a maximum prison sentence of 10 years if he is convicted.
He is also facing state charges connected to the incident and remains under investigation in relation to a separate robbery case in nearby El Segundo.
Assistant director in charge of the FBI's Los Angeles Field Office, Patrick Grandy, said the suspect's behavior immediately raised concerns.
"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," Grandy said.
"There is no room for error, particularly in light of previous attempts on President Trump's life."
First Assistant US Attorney Bill Essayli also praised the swift response from investigators.
"While we are still investigating the motives of this individual, we are thankful he was apprehended before the President's visit," Essayli said.
"Federal and local law enforcement stepped in early and prevented what could have been a dangerous situation from occurring."
Officials stressed there was "no credible threat to our communities," and Trump's fundraising event proceeded as scheduled.
When later asked about the incident during an interview with Fox News, the President appeared to downplay the security scare.
"The only thing I get a little solace from is they say only consequential presidents, and I am definitely consequential," Trump said.
He then shifted the discussion away from the arrest and instead focused on topics including Iran and the US economy.
Trump's California visit was one of his few appearances in the traditionally Democratic state, where he sought to highlight his policies on border security, crime and the economy ahead of November's congressional elections.
The President has been the target of multiple assassination attempts in recent years, including being shot during a 2024 campaign rally in Pennsylvania.
A separate jury later convicted another man over an attempted assassination at Trump's Florida golf course, while another armed suspect was recently arrested after allegedly trying to gain entry to the White House Correspondents' Dinner while Trump was attending.
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Published 20:15 15 Sep 2024 GMT
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Published 15:43 16 Sep 2024 GMT
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Published 11:28 16 Sep 2024 GMT
Published 10:06 16 Sep 2024 GMT
Authorities have shared more information regarding the alarming "assassination attempt" against Donald Trump on Sunday.
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While playing golf at the Trump International Golf Club at West Palm Beach, the 78-year-old former president once again became victim to what the FBI and Secret Service are describing as an apparent "assassination attempt".
The incident occurred on the afternoon of September 15, when Secret Service agents accompanying Trump spotted a gunman hiding in bushes around the golf course.
Rafael Barros, the Secret Service special agent in charge of the Miami field office, said in a statement, per CNN, that "US Secret Service personnel opened fire on a gunman located near the property line."
Barros confirmed Trump was "safe and unharmed".
The suspect then reportedly fled the scene in a black Nissan car, before being detained by officers on the I-95.
Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw confirmed that a suspect had been detained by authorities.
The suspect has since been named as Ryan Wesley Routh by US media, with CNN citing three law enforcement sources.
During a press conference on Sunday evening, Bradshaw also shared images and details of the items found in the bushes at the scene.
Law enforcement say they discovered an AK-47-style rifle with a scope attached and two backpacks tied to the surrounding fence, which contained ceramic tiles.
Perhaps most disturbing of all was a GoPro camera found also attached to the fence - with Bradshaw telling reporters that authorities believe the suspect intended to record his actions.
Bradshaw added that those items were being processed.
Former FBI deputy director Andrew McCabe told CNN that the "whole set-up indicates a very high level of pre-planning."
Per BBC News, the suspected gunman is currently being held in custody and no official charges have been filed against him yet.
The 58-year-old is expected to appear in front of a judge later today (Monday, September 16).
Sunday's alarming incident comes two months after Trump escaped with just a bloody ear after being targeted by would-be assassin Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, during a rally near Butler, Pennsylvania.
Published 13:11 15 Apr 2026 GMT
A man carrying a loaded gun emblazoned with phrases from supervillain the Joker was arrested near Donald Trump’s golf course in Los Angeles last week.
Sean Steiner, 36, now faces multiple felony firearm charges after he was caught with a semi-automatic rifle and a loaded revolver in the affluent neighbourhood of Rancho Palos Verdes.
A resident called the police to report a man in body armour walking the hiking trails.
He was also spotted carrying a duffel bag, a stepstool, and a rifle, according to Fox 11.
Steiner was arrested while running from traffic and taken into custody a short distance from Trump National Golf Club Los Angeles.
The loaded rifle he was found with was painted purple and green and had phrases uttered by the psychotic supervillain, the Joker, written all over it.
It was embellished with the villain’s catchphrases “why so serious” and “let’s put a smile on that face”.
He was also found with a loaded handgun, high-capacity magazines, extra ammunition, and a ballistic vest capable of stopping rifle rounds, according to police.
Allegedly, Steiner told officers that he fired a pistol round into a nearby area to “get some anger out”.
Police officers credited their “See Something, Say Something” initiative for helping arrest a dangerous person. They also thanked the person who called 911 to report a suspicious person.
Trump's golf course in Rancho Palos Verdes was the site of a 'No Kings' protest, where MAGA supporters and anti-Trump protestors came to blows in March.
The golf course is not the only one of the president’s properties that has been the site of suspicious activity since he returned to office in 2024.
Austin Tucker Martin, a 21-year-old from North Carolina, was shot dead by Secret Service agents in February as he tried to break into Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida.
Investigators say Martin, who was reportedly “obsessed with the Epstein files,” had snuck onto the estate armed with both a shotgun and a gas can.
However, at the time of the incident, Trump and First Lady Melania Trump were at the White House.
Another man who tried to break into Mar-a-Lago was sentenced to life in prison for his attempted assassination of Trump in February.
Ryan Wesley Routh was caught on the grounds of Trump’s West Palm Beach golf course in September 2024.
Donald Trump is reportedly "safe" following gunshots "in his vicinity," his team have revealed.
The 78-year-old was reportedly playing golf at the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach when shots rang out, The New York Times reports.
A statement from Trump campaign spokesman Steven Cheung reads: "President Trump is safe following gunshots in his vicinity. No further details at this time."
CNN adds that the gold club was locked down shortly after, according to sources.
According to Teri Barbera - a spokeswoman for the local Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office - gunfire took place "on the grounds" of the golf club, with the former POTUS present.
A "person of interest" has been detained, Barbera said, and a firearm - described as a "long gun" - was recovered at the scene, per the NY Times.
"The intent right now is unknown,” Barbera continued.
However, CNN is reporting a conflicting story at this time, with the news outlet stating the following: "Officials believe an armed individual intended to target former President Donald Trump at Trump International Golf Club, according to sources briefed on the matter."
As of this writing, authorities have not publicly confirmed CNN's reporting.
Additionally, the US Secret Service has tweeted a brief update on the alarming incident, writing on X: "The Secret Service, in conjunction with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, is investigating a protective incident involving former President Donald Trump that occurred shortly before 2 p.m.
"The former president is safe. [The Palm Beach County Sheriff] will have more details soon.”
On Sunday afternoon, the Martin County Sheriff's Office revealed in a Facebook post that officers "stopped a vehicle" and have now "taken a suspect into custody believed to be connected to a shooting incident at Trump International in Palm Beach County."
(Martin County is just north of Palm Beach County.)
A statement from the White House following the incident reads: “The President and Vice President have been briefed about the security incident at the Trump International Golf Course, where former President Trump was golfing. They are relieved to know that he is safe. They will be kept regularly updated by their team."
Additionally, Trump's rival in the upcoming Presidential Election, Kamala Harris, has taken to social media to share the following statement: “I have been briefed on reports of gunshots fired near former President Trump and his property in Florida, and I am glad he is safe. Violence has no place in America.”
Both President Biden and Vice President Harris were in Washington D.C. at the time of the shooting, neither having any public events.
Of course, this news comes a little over two months after Trump was the victim of an assassination attempt during a Pennsylvania rally on July 13.
In that instance, Trump revealed that he sustained an injury to his right ear.
A man arrested in connection with what the FBI is calling an apparent "assassination attempt" on Donald Trump has received his first charges.
Ryan Wesley Routh, 58, was arrested on Sunday afternoon and placed in custody after he was accused of being in possession of a firearm and hiding in the bushes of the Trump International Golf Club.
The 78-year-old former president was playing a game of golf at the time.
Fortunately, a Secret Service agent scouted the next hole for any dangers when he reportedly saw a gunman hiding in the bushes.
After engaging the suspect in gunfire, the gunman fled in a black Nissan vehicle, before shortly being detained on I-95.
READ MORE: Everything We Know So Far About Trump Suspect Ryan Wesley Routh
Following his arrest, the suspect was named as Ryan Wesley Routh.
Now, it has been reported that Routh has been charged with multiple federal gun crimes.
The 58-year-old construction company owner has been charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number, per CBS News.
Routh was told in court that, if he is found guilty of the first charge, he faces up to 15 years in prison. The second charge carries a prison sentence of up to five years.
Following his arrest, authorities confirmed a number of items they had found where the gunman had been hiding.
Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw told reporters at a press conference that authorities discovered an AK-47-style rifle with a scope attached and two backpacks tied to the surrounding fence, which contained ceramic tiles.
Perhaps most disturbing of all was a GoPro camera found also attached to the fence - with Bradshaw telling reporters that authorities believe the suspect intended to record his actions.
Trump fortunately confirmed in an email to his followers that he was "safe and well" following the alarming incident, and commended his accompanying Secret Service agents for their swift actions in a post on Truth Social.
"Nothing will slow me down. I will NEVER SURRENDER! I will always love you for supporting me," Trump said in his email. "Unity. Peace. Make America Great Again."
Following the alarming incident, Routh's son has spoken out about his father's alleged actions.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, Oran Routh - the suspect's son - broke his silence over his father's arrested.
Oran said that his father hates Donald Trump as "every reasonable person does", before adding that he also doesn't like the Republican presidential candidate.
However, he insisted his father is not a violent person - although he did admit that they have "fallen out" in recent years and have "grown apart".
"He's my dad and all he's had is couple traffic tickets, as far as I know," Oran told The Mail. |That's crazy. I know my dad and love my dad, but that's nothing like him."
"He's not a violent person," he said. "He's a hard worker and a great dad. He's a great dude, a nice guy and has worked his whole f**king life."
Oran added that he's never known his father to own a gun, adding: "I've never known him to own a gun or known him to do anything bats*** like this."
On Sunday (September 15), Donald Trump once again became the victim of what authorities are calling an apparent "assassination attempt".
The 78-year-old former POTUS had been playing golf at his Trump International Golf Club at West Palm Beach in Florida, when accompanying Secret Service agents spotted a gunman in the surrounding bushes.
After opening fire on the gunman, authorities say he fled the scene in a black Nissan car.
Officers promptly stopped the vehicle on the I-95 highway and he was taken into police custody.
Donald Trump has personally confirmed in an email to his followers that he is "safe and well" following the alarming incident, per BBC News.
As of this writing, the suspect has been identified as 58-year-old Ryan Wesley Routh.
Per the New York Post, law enforcement officials have identified the alleged gunman as Ryan Wesley Routh.
At the scene where the gunman was spotted, authorities found an AK-47-style rifle with a scope attached, two backpacks attached to a fence containing ceramic tiles, and a GoPro mounted to the fence, which authorities currently believe was going to be used to record any potential crime.
These items are now being processed.
No motive for the incident has been identified at this time, but the FBI and Secret Service are treating it as an apparent "assassination attempt".
Per The Independent, suspect Routh has a lengthy criminal record dating back to - at least - 2002.
That year, state court records show that he was convicted in Guilford County, North Carolina, on one felony count of possession of a weapon of mass destruction. The Greensboro News & Record reports that the charge was brought against Routh as a result of a fully automatic machine gun he had in his possession.
Routh was also reportedly convicted of possession of stolen goods, and sentenced to probation. Further information about these charges is currently unclear, as of this writing.
The outlet adds that a man by the name of Ryan Wesley Routh also fled from police during a traffic stop, leading to a three-hour standoff at a nearby local business, United Roofing.
Public records show that the business was listed under Routh's name, with his LinkedIn profile stating that he relocated the business to Hawaii in 2018.
BBC News adds that Routh had a keen interest in the war in Ukraine, and took part in an interview with Newsweek Romania in 2022, in which, he shared his motivations for supporting the nation.
An emotional Routh described the war as "the most important thing going on in the world today", as she said: "A lot of the other conflicts are grey, but this conflict is definitely black and white, this is good versus evil."
After saying that he had initially intended to "come and fight in Ukraine", he told the interviewer that his "plan B" was to recruit foreign fighters.
"We need thousands and thousands of people fighting with the Ukrainians," he added.
A humanitarian aid worker named Chris Lutz has since told BBC News that Routh's passion for Ukraine was "hyper-focused", adding: "He was trying his best to help Ukraine. But it was getting to an unhealthy level... He also had no rights or powers to recruit for Ukraine’s international legion. It was a complication."
Social media pages appearing to belong to Routh also offer a glimpse to his political views.
The Independent reports that Routh did vote for Trump back in 2016, but tweets on X suggest he had since ceased being a supporter.
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In one tweet, dated July 2020, Routh allegedly wrote: "While you were my choice in [2016], I and the world hoped that president Trump would be different and better than the candidate. But we all were greatly disappointment [sic] and it seems you are getting worse and devolving. I will be glad when you gone."
In another tweet from earlier this year, Routh alleged suggested that the Biden-Harris campaign change their slogan to "something like KADAF. Keep America democratic and free".
He added: "Trumps should be MASA …make Americans slaves again master. DEMOCRACY is on the ballot and we cannot lose."
The New York Post adds that Federal Election Commission (FEC) filings show Routh has donated small amounts for Democrats running for office - contributing around $140 between September 2019 and March 2020 via the Democratic fundraising platform ActBlue.
Routh is also a father - with his son, Oran speaking out following his arrest.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, Oran said that his father "hates Trump as every reasonable person does", before stating that he doesn't "like Trump either".
Oran added that he's "never known" his father to own a gun or do anything "bat**** like this".
"That’s crazy. I know my dad and love my dad, but that’s nothing like him,” he told the outlet. “He’s not a violent person,” the son added. “He’s a hard worker and a great dad. He’s a great dude, a nice guy, and has worked his whole f*****g life."
Per BBC News, the suspected gunman is currently being held in custody and no official charges have been filed against him yet.
The 58-year-old is expected to appear in front of a judge later today (Monday, September 16).
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