Federal and local law enforcement officers arrested a heavily armed Southern California man outside President Donald Trump’s golf club in Rancho Palos Verdes on Sunday after authorities said he was photographing the property and observing security preparations just two days before the president’s scheduled visit.

The suspect, identified as 38-year-old Jeanine John Taele of Downey, California, was taken into custody after plainclothes FBI agents noticed what they considered suspicious behavior on the grounds of Trump National Golf Club Los Angeles.

Investigators said Taele was allegedly documenting the property, taking photographs and videos, and monitoring security-related activity surrounding preparations for Trump’s upcoming appearance at the club.

According to authorities, deputies from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department responded to the scene at approximately 3:28 p.m. after receiving information from federal agents.

When deputies questioned Taele, they discovered he was already under investigation by the El Segundo Police Department in connection with a robbery case. A pat-down search allegedly uncovered a 16-round magazine loaded with hollow-point ammunition in his pants pocket.

A subsequent search of Taele’s vehicle parked at the golf course uncovered what authorities described as a significant cache of weapons and tactical equipment, including an illegally modified AR-platform rifle, an AR-platform upper receiver, a loaded 1911 .45-caliber pistol with a round chambered, two radio signal devices, body armor, multiple high-capacity magazines, large quantities of rifle and pistol ammunition, and several notebooks containing what investigators described as concerning writings.

Taele was arrested on charges including carrying a concealed firearm and possession of prohibited ammunition.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said detectives assigned to its Major Crimes Bureau and the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force executed a search warrant Monday at Taele’s residence in Downey as part of the ongoing investigation.

Authorities said the case has since been presented to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, with additional criminal charges possible as investigators continue working alongside the FBI and the U.S. Secret Service.

Although the investigation remains active, officials emphasized that they have found no credible threat to the surrounding community at this time.

Trump was scheduled to arrive in the Los Angeles area Tuesday evening for a series of events highlighting his administration’s economic policies, border security agenda, and public safety initiatives.

The president is expected to attend a Republican National Committee fundraising dinner at Trump National Golf Club before departing for Nevada the following day.

Ahead of the visit, the White House promoted the president’s agenda.

“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 spokeswoman Olivia Wales said.

Wales also sharply criticized California Gov. Gavin Newsom, accusing him of “raising taxes, inviting rampant fraud in taxpayer-funded programs, and protecting illegal immigrant drug dealers, rapists, and murderers.”

Newsom’s office responded by criticizing Trump’s visit, saying, “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.”

The governor’s office added, “Californians deserve a president focused on helping families rebuild — not raising money for himself at his golf course.”

In advance of Trump’s appearance, Newsom’s office also sought to counter expected criticism by highlighting declines in crime and efforts by the state to combat fraud.

Trump’s last official visit to California came in January 2025, when he toured areas devastated by the Palisades and Eaton wildfires.