An armed man, identified as Jeanine John Taele, 38, was arrested at a Trump National Golf Club in Palos Verdes, California, on Sunday afternoon, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. The arrest occurred shortly before an anticipated presidential visit to the property.
Federal agents were alerted when Taele was observed wandering the golf course, taking photographs and videos of their security preparations while reportedly wearing an earpiece. According to a press release, Taele approached federal agents upon his return to the golf course later that afternoon and claimed he was hired by the State Department as part of a security detail.
Deputies from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department responded to the scene. During the arrest, they discovered a loaded magazine in Taele's pocket. A subsequent search of his pickup truck in the golf club's parking lot revealed a loaded pistol, an additional loaded magazine, binoculars, and a badge identifying him as a "security protection agent."
Investigators have learned that Taele was also wanted in connection with a 2025 robbery case out of El Segundo, California. He is currently facing firearms-related charges, and his motives for being at the golf course and his alleged actions remain under investigation.