Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies arrested 38-year-old Jeanine John Taele on Sunday after he was seen surveilling Trump National Golf Club in Rancho Palos Verdes. The arrest occurred days before President Donald Trump was scheduled to visit the club for a fundraising event with the Republican National Committee. Plainclothes federal agents identified Taele as a suspicious individual who appeared to be monitoring security-planning activities.
Authorities report that Taele was observed taking photographs and videos of the golf grounds and security agents assessing the property. He was wearing an earpiece and was allegedly pretending to be part of the security detail preparing for the presidential visit. During his detention, deputies recovered a 16-round magazine containing hollow-point ammunition from Taele's pocket.
A subsequent search of Taele's vehicle revealed a loaded gun. Investigators also searched his home, where they discovered an assault-style rifle, a pistol, a bulletproof vest, high-capacity magazines, ammunition, and two radios. Police also found multiple notebooks containing concerning statements. Taele faces firearms-related charges, including the possession of an unregistered short-barreled rifle, while his motives remain under investigation.