Chilling photo of 'heavily armed' man at Trump's LA golf course released as new details of his alleged plot revealed: 'A potential tragedy was averted'
Federal authorities have released the mugshot of a man caught with an illegal rifle and body armor while allegedly scouting President Donald Trump's Los Angeles golf club ahead of his visit this week.Jeanine John Taele, 38, was charged by the Justice Department with possessing an unregistered short-barreled rifle after his arrest Saturday at Trump National Golf Club Los Angeles in Rancho Palos Verdes.If convicted, the felony charge carries a minimum sentence of 10 years in federal prison.The FBI's Los Angeles field office said Taele's conduct at the course just days before Trump's expected arrival alarmed authorities and led to the discovery of an unregistered firearm, a loaded weapon and other concerning items. Federal agents conducting security surveillance before Trump's Tuesday visit first spotted Taele on July 31, allegedly walking the course with an earpiece while photographing and filming their preparations, according to court papers.He returned Saturday, and staff alerted federal authorities. Taele then allegedly approached federal agents and falsely posed as a State Department employee on a security detail.Investigators are still working to determine the suspect's motives but credited federal and local law enforcement with stepping in early enough to head off a potentially dangerous situation.'A potential tragedy was averted due to the exceptional whole-of-government approach in providing the very best public safety response to all citizens in this great nation that we are proud to serve,' said ATF Special Agent Kenneth R. Cooper. Jeanine John Taele, 38, was charged by the Justice Department with with possessing an unregistered short-barreled rifle When investigators searched Taele's home Sunday, they uncovered an AR-style rifle that had been unlawfully altered Federal agents conducting security surveillance before Trump's Tuesday visit first spotted Taele on July 31, allegedly walking Trump's LA course with an earpiece while photographing and filming their preparations The case is similar to the September 2024 assassination attempt against Trump when Ryan Routh was caught staking out Trump's West Palm Beach golf course with a rifleAfter his arrest, Taele admitted a loaded firearm was inside his pickup truck parked at Trump's club. Deputies then found a 16-round magazine of hollow-point bullets, which expand on impact to inflict greater damage, in his pocket. He was also wanted in El Segundo on an outstanding robbery warrant.Taele's truck was equipped with binoculars, and a fake badge labeled 'security protection agent.' 'There is no room for error, particularly in light of previous attempts on President Trump’s life,' said Patrick Grandy, assistant director of the FBI’s Los Angeles field office.When investigators searched Taele's home Sunday, they uncovered an AR-style rifle that had been unlawfully altered and was missing from the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record. Agents also hauled away more guns, ammunition, high-capacity magazines, body armor, an earpiece, a pair of radio signal devices and notebooks filled with troubling writings.Taele will make his first federal court appearance later this week after he is transferred into federal custody. The case is being investigated by the FBI, US Secret Service, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. The case is similar to the September 2024 assassination attempt against Trump when Ryan Routh was caught staking out Trump's West Palm Beach golf course with a rifle as the then-candidate played a round nearby. That attempt came just two months after Trump survived a shooting at a Butler, Pennsylvania, rally that bloodied his ear and killed a spectator.Just this April, a gunman allegedly stormed the White House Correspondents' Dinner in Washington, DC, armed with a shotgun and knives in an alleged bid to kill Trump.
