Gunman arrested at Donald Trump's golf club in California
A gunman was arrested at Donald Trump's golf club in Rancho Palos Verdes, California, days before the president's benefit event.
According to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, 38-year-old Jeanine John Taele was spotted by federal agents taking photos and videos of security measures and allegedly observing the security planning process.
He was arrested in the parking lot of the golf club. During a search, a 16-round magazine was found in his pocket, and a search of his vehicle turned up a loaded pistol and another loaded magazine.
On Monday, sheriff's detectives and FBI agents also searched the defendant's home in Downey, California. They said they seized additional firearms, ammunition, a body armor, several notebooks with "disturbing notes" and two radio transmitters.
The sheriff's department said the case has been turned over to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office. At this time, investigators have not identified a credible threat to the public. It is also unclear whether security will be beefed up for Trump's planned event.
Donald Trump is in Los Angeles to attend a Republican National Committee (RNC) benefit dinner at his Trump National Golf Club.
The White House said the president will use the event to highlight the results achieved for Californians and compare his policies to those of California Governor Gavin Newsom’s Democratic administration.
Governor Gavin Newsom, for his part, criticized Trump’s visit. His spokesman said the president was in Los Angeles to raise funds while families affected by the wildfires are still waiting for federal assistance that they say Trump promised 18 months ago.
Newsom also said he hopes Trump’s visit will ultimately accelerate the release of federal recovery funding for families struggling to rebuild their homes after the Los Angeles wildfires.