Man arrested at Trump golf course near L.A. faces federal weapons charges

Jeanine John Taele allegedly photographed and filmed federal agents' security planning around Trump National Golf Club in Rancho Palo Verdes, authorities say

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Washington Post

Hannah Knowles, The Washington Post

Published Aug 05, 2026  •  3 minute read

With U.S. President Donald Trump on board, Marine One arrives at the Trump National Golf Club Los Angeles on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026 in Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif. Photo by Chip Somodevilla /Getty Images

LOS ANGELES — A man arrested after alleged “suspicious” behaviour at one of U.S. President Donald Trump’s golf courses is expected to appear in federal court on weapons charges, authorities say.

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Federal agents raised concerns about the defendant, Jeanine John Taele, while assessing security last week at Trump’s Los Angeles-area golf course ahead of the president’s Tuesday fundraiser there. Taele photographed and filmed federal agents’ security planning and wore an earpiece as he walked around Trump National Golf Club in Rancho Palo Verdes, authorities say.

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Law enforcement officials have said they are still investigating Taele’s motives and whether he meant to harm Trump or anyone else. Both local and federal prosecutors have charged Taele with weapons offences after allegedly recovering guns from his home and car.

“Mr. Taele’s troubling behaviour at the President’s public golf course merely days before the President was expected to arrive raised serious red flags for law enforcement and led to the discovery of an unregistered firearm, a loaded weapon, as well as additional items of concern,” said Patrick Grandy, the assistant director in charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office, in a statement.

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Trump has been the target of multiple assassination attempts in recent years. A gunman was charged with attempting to kill Trump at the White House correspondents’ dinner this year. In 2024, Trump was shot in the ear at a campaign rally. A man also attempted to kill him that year at his golf course in West Palm Beach, Florida.

“There is no room for error, particularly in light of previous attempts on President Trump’s life,” Grandy said.

Taele pleaded not guilty Tuesday to charges brought by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, according to an office spokesperson. Taele could not be reached for comment, and it is not clear if he has a lawyer.

Federal prosecutors have separately charged Taele with possession of an unregistered short-barreled rifle. The U.S. attorney’s office for the Central District of California, which is overseeing the case, said Taele is expected to make an initial federal court appearance on Wednesday in downtown Los Angeles.

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Federal officials said Taele was seen filming at the golf course during security preparations on Friday and then returned on Sunday as those preparations continued. The golf course’s staff notified authorities.

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“Taele approached the federal agents and stated that he was employed by the State Department and was at the location for security detail,” the U.S. attorney’s office said in a news release.

Taele told officials he had a loaded firearm in his car, authorities said. Law enforcement said they also found a 16-round magazine in Taele’s pants pockets and seized items from Taele’s pickup truck: a loaded 9mm pistol, a pair of binoculars and a badge reading “security protection agent.”

Searching Taele’s home Monday, officials said, they found an illegally modified AR-platform rifle, other firearms, body armour, high-capacity magazines, an earpiece, radio signal devices and notebooks with “concerning” contents. Authorities have not said more about why the notebook concerned them.

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The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department announced Taele’s arrest Tuesday shortly before Trump was set to participate in a fundraiser at the golf course.

“While we are still investigating the motives of this individual, we are thankful he was apprehended before the President’s visit,” First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli said in a statement. “Federal and local law enforcement stepped in early and prevented what could have been a dangerous situation from occurring.”

In state court, Taele is charged with illegally carrying a concealed firearm in a vehicle; illegally possessing a short-barreled rifle or shotgun; and illegally manufacturing, importing, keeping for sale, or giving or receiving a large-capacity magazine.

A preliminary hearing in Taele’s state case is set for Aug. 26, according to local prosecutors. Taele also faces a second-degree robbery charge in connection with a Nov. 4, 2025, incident.

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