Man arrested with ammunition near Trump fundraiser event
Authorities said the man filmed the event and carried a loaded 16-round magazine with ammunition in his pocket during arrest.
- Jeanine John Taele, 38, was arrested on August 2 at Trump National Golf Club in Rancho Palos Verdes.
- He was found with a 16-round magazine, hollow-point ammunition and a loaded pistol in his car.
- A home search in Downey uncovered multiple firearms, body armour and notebooks with “concerning statements.”
- Charges include felonies for robbery, large-capacity magazine possession and short-barrelled rifle/shotgun possession; plus a misdemeanor for carrying a concealed firearm in a vehicle.
- He pleaded not guilty, was ordered to stay away from the golf course, and bail was set at $250,000.
- Authorities say there is “no credible threat to our communities,” but the investigation remains ongoing.
Rancho Palos Verdes (US): A 38-year-old man was arrested near President Donald Trump’s golf course in Rancho Palos Verdes after authorities found him carrying ammunition while a loaded handgun was discovered inside his vehicle. Investigators say the man had been photographing and filming security preparations just days before Trump was scheduled to attend a major fundraising event at the Los Angeles-area property.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department identified the suspect as Jeanine John Taele, who was taken into custody on Sunday, August 2, during heightened security operations ahead of Trump’s Republican National Committee fundraiser. The event, held at the Trump National Golf Course overlooking the Pacific Ocean, prompted an extensive law enforcement presence involving local deputies and federal security personnel.
According to officials, plainclothes federal agents first noticed Taele walking around the property while taking photographs and recording videos of security arrangements. Authorities said he appeared to be observing preparations taking place before Trump’s arrival, prompting officers to question and eventually detain him.
Deputies found a 16-round magazine loaded with ammunition in Taele’s pocket during the encounter. A subsequent search of his vehicle, parked on the golf course grounds, uncovered a loaded pistol with a round chambered, along with another loaded magazine containing hollow-point ammunition.
The investigation expanded the following day when law enforcement officers searched Taele’s residence in the nearby city of Downey. During the search, authorities recovered what they described as a large cache of firearms, ammunition, large-capacity magazines, body armour and notebooks containing “concerning statements.” Officials have not disclosed the contents of the writings but said investigators are examining whether they indicate any specific intent or potential target.
He was also charged with carrying a concealed firearm in a vehicle, a misdemeanour under California law.
He pleaded not guilty to all charges during his court appearance on Monday, August 3. The court ordered him not to possess firearms or return to the Trump National Golf Course. Bail was set at USD 250,000.
Authorities said it was not immediately clear whether Taele had legal representation. Attempts to contact family members for comment were unsuccessful.
The sheriff’s department also revealed that Taele was already under investigation by the El Segundo Police Department in connection with a robbery case before Sunday’s arrest. Officials said that ongoing investigation contributed to the scrutiny he received once deputies identified him near the golf course.
Despite the discovery of multiple weapons and ammunition, investigators stressed there was no credible threat to the public or to the planned fundraiser. A federal law enforcement source told CNN that investigators have not found immediate evidence indicating Taele intended to attack Trump, although the inquiry remains active as authorities continue reviewing evidence seized during the searches.
The arrest nevertheless highlighted the extraordinary security measures surrounding Trump’s public appearances, particularly at his private properties. On major event days, Trump National Golf Course is heavily secured with multiple checkpoints, surveillance teams, plainclothes officers and federal agents monitoring visitors and surrounding areas.
In 2025, a jury convicted a man of attempting to assassinate Trump at his Florida golf club, further reinforcing the extensive security protocols now routinely deployed during his public events.
Investigators continue examining the firearms, notebooks and other materials recovered from Taele’s home as they work to determine whether additional charges or federal offences could emerge from the ongoing investigation.