Man arrested at Trump National Golf Club ahead of president’s visit

An armed man, said to be creeping around and monitoring “security-planning activities,” was arrested Sunday with a pistol and ammunition outside Trump National Golf Course Los Angeles — just two days before the president’s visit to the very same location.

Jeanine John Taele, 38, from Downey, Calif., was taken into custody outside the Rancho Palos Verdes site by sheriff’s deputies after federal agents first spotted him lurking in the area, taking photos and videos, and monitoring security-planning activities, law enforcement said.

When deputies assigned to the Lomita Sheriff’s Station first made contact with Taele, they determined he was being investigated for a 2025 robbery by the El Segundo Police Department — he was then detained.

During a pat-down, deputies recovered a 16-round magazine containing hollow-point ammunition from Taele’s pants pocket, according to a release from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

A subsequent search of his vehicle in the golf course parking lot revealed a loaded pistol with a round chambered, along with an additional loaded magazine with hollow-point rounds.

Taele was arrested for carrying a concealed firearm and possession of prohibited ammunition.

The Sheriff’s Department Major Crimes Bureau assigned to the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) obtained and executed a search warrant at Taele’s home in Downey Monday.

Deputies discovered an illegally modified AR platform rifle, two radio signal devices, a 1911 .45 caliber pistol, an AR platform upper receiver, body armor, high-capacity magazines, bulk pistol and rifle ammunition, and multiple notebooks containing concerning statements during the search of his home.

He was charged with the following crimes Tuesday:

• Manufacturing, importing, keeping for sale, giving or receiving a large-capacity magazine
• Carrying a concealed firearm in a vehicle
• Possession of a short-barreled rifle or shotgun
• Second degree robbery, in connection to the 2025 robbery.

Taele entered a not guilty plea, and bail was set at $250,000.

The Post was first to break the news of Trump’s scheduled visit to Southern California.

Taele, who describes himself as a USMC veteran, had been spotted around the golf course several times since June, but there was no indication he was aware of Trump’s upcoming visit, a law enforcement source told The Post.

“This is an active investigation. My office, along with @FBILosAngeles and @LosAngelesATF, is reviewing the evidence and will provide more information when possible, Bill Essayli, First Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California tweeted after the arrest was made public.

Officials confirmed that while the investigation remains active, law enforcement has identified no current credible threat to the surrounding communities.

President Donald Trump arrived in the Los Angeles area Tuesday evening to tout his administration’s economic record, border policies and public safety initiatives — and maybe take a few jabs at Gov. Gavin Newsom.

The president is scheduled attend a Republican National Committee fundraising dinner held at Trump National Golf Club in Rancho Palos Verdes before flying off to Nevada for the next day.

During his visit, Trump plans to highlight his achievements and contrast that with California policies.

“President Trump will visit California on Tuesday to tout his wins for the people of the Golden State despite failed Democrat leadership: the largest middle-class tax cut ever, the most secure border in American history, and a plummeting crime rate,” White House spokesperson Olivia Wales told The Post.

The spokesperson specifically called out Newsom by name, accusing him of “raising taxes, inviting rampant fraud in taxpayer-funded programs, and protecting illegal immigrant drug dealers, rapists, and murderers.”

Newsom, who is expected to launch a 2028 presidential bid, has been a frequent critic of Trump and vice versa. The governor himself is under a federal probe by the Department of Justice.

“Donald Trump is coming to Los Angeles County to raise money while wildfire survivors are still waiting for the federal recovery funding he promised 18 months ago.

“Californians deserve a president focused on helping families rebuild — not raising money for himself at his golf course,” Newsom’s office said in a statement.

In a post Monday night, Newsom’s office tried to counter ahead of time any potential attacks from Trump’s speech, claiming crime was down in the state or that fraud was being rooted out.

Trump’s last official California stop was in January 2025 following the devastating Palisades and Eaton fires.

The president left Washington, DC around 12:30 p.m. Pacific Time and is expected to arrive in Southern California by early Tuesday evening ahead of the RNC roundtable, which is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.

A reception will follow at 7:00 p.m.

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