Armed Man Caught Surveilling Trump Golf Course Ahead of Presidential Visit

A Security Scare at Trump's California Golf Club

A man with weapons in his home and vehicle who appeared to be "monitoring security-planning activities" at the Los Angeles-area Trump National Golf Course was arrested days before a scheduled presidential visit, the county sheriff's department said. The incident added a jarring security dimension to what was already a busy week for President Trump, who was simultaneously navigating a political firestorm over embattled Republican congressman Max Miller.

Jeanine John Taele, 38, a resident of the Los Angeles-area city of Downey, was arrested Sunday at the course in Rancho Palos Verdes. According to the federal complaint, Taele visited the course on Friday while a security assessment was being conducted ahead of Trump's Tuesday visit. Federal agents saw a "suspicious individual" later identified as Taele "walking throughout the golf course at the Trump Golf Club, wearing an earpiece, and taking photographs and videos of the federal agents' security-planning activities, among other things."

Weapons, Notebooks, and Federal Charges

Following his arrest on Sunday, authorities found more firearms, including an illegally modified AR-platform rifle, and "multiple notebooks containing concerning statements" at the suspect's residence, a federal criminal complaint alleges. Taele now faces federal charges of "possession of an unregistered short-barreled rifle," a felony with a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.

Trump was aboard Air Force One en route to a Tuesday evening Republican National Committee dinner at the golf course in Rancho Palos Verdes when the sheriff's office announced Taele's arrest. At the event aimed at raising money for the RNC ahead of midterm elections, Trump spoke about the nation's economy and crime. The incident remains under investigation in coordination with the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force and the United States Secret Service. The arrest follows a string of other security incidents involving Trump properties and events, including breaches at his Mar-a-Lago club in Florida and assassination attempts in 2024.

Trump Walks a Tightrope on Max Miller

Meanwhile, GOP Representative Max Miller was accused of holding a gun to his ex-wife's head, scalding her with boiling water, and breaking his two-year-old daughter's collarbone — and also of sharing pictures of his daughter's genitals. The claims were made by his ex-wife Emily Moreno, daughter of Republican Senator Bernie Moreno. Trump found himself caught between loyalty to an ally and mounting political pressure.

President Trump said he believes Rep. Max Miller is "a very good person," but added he's "going to let the families figure that out." Yet behind the scenes, Trump was more direct. Trump called Rep. Miller and raised concerns about the Ohio Republican's reelection campaign following the allegations, two sources directly familiar with the call confirmed. According to Miller, Trump "kept on reiterating it's going to be tough, and it's going to be a really hard one for you."

Miller Digs In, But Pressure Mounts

Miller, who has adamantly denied the allegations, told the president he has no plans to leave the race, pointing to his campaign's internal polling showing his campaign in a strong position for reelection. Allies of Donald Trump are pushing the president to encourage Miller to drop his reelection bid, with some top House Republicans phoning White House officials asking for help — specifically wanting Trump to ask Miller to drop out before a rapidly approaching ballot deadline.

The House Ethics Committee opened an investigation into the abuse claims against Miller, as well as allegations of drug use. Miller posted a video to social media insisting he will stay in his race for reelection, despite the claims and a statement from his former father-in-law, Sen. Bernie Moreno, that the congressman "should not serve" in Congress. With a ballot deadline looming and a formal ethics probe underway, the pressure on Miller — and on Trump to act more decisively — is only going to intensify in the days ahead.