Man arrested at Trump golf course carrying ammunition, loaded pistol

Armed man arrested at Trump's golf course in California, authorities say Wed 5 Aug 2026 at 10:42am , updatedWed 5 Aug 2026 at 10:59am An armed man was arrested at President Donald Trump's Los Angeles golf course on Sunday, local time, after appearing to monitor security preparations two days ahead of a fundraiser, authorities say. The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said Jeanine John Taele, 38, was taking photos and video and had a 16-round magazine with ammunition in his pocket. Authorities recovered a loaded pistol in his car. Law enforcement searched his home in the nearby city of Downey on Monday, local time, and found a plethora of firearms, magazines and ammunition, body armour and notebooks with "concerning statements". The sheriff's department announced the arrest as Mr Trump was preparing to arrive for a fundraising dinner for the Republican National Committee at the Trump National Golf Course in the suburb of Rancho Palos Verdes just south of Los Angeles. The department did not elaborate on what the notebooks' "concerning statements" were or whether the man was planning an attack on the president or event. Mr Taele was charged with several felonies, including second-degree robbery, receiving a large-capacity magazine and possession of a short-barreled rifle or shotgun. He was also charged with carrying a concealed firearm in a vehicle, a misdemeanour. He pleaded not guilty to all the charges on Monday, local time, and was ordered to stay away from the golf course and not possess weapons. His bail was set at US$250,000 ($354,600). It was not clear if he had an attorney, and family members could not immediately be reached for comment. The sheriff's department said when they made contact with Mr Taele on Sunday, local time, they had determined he was being investigated by the El Segundo Police Department for robbery. The sheriff's department said there is "no credible threat to our communities". A jury in 2025 found a man guilty of trying to assassinate Trump at the president's Florida country club. AP