Armed man at Trump golf club had Melania’s schedule as judge suspends case over mental fitness
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Criminal proceedings against a 38-year-old Downey man arrested at President Donald Trump’s Los Angeles-area golf club have been suspended after a judge determined that he was not mentally fit to stand trial.
Los Angeles County Judge John Lonergan Jr ordered Jeanine John Taele to undergo further evaluation and sent his case to Hollywood Mental Health Court. Taele is scheduled to remain in custody until a September 9 hearing.
Judge sends Trump golf club arrest case to mental health court
The ruling came weeks after Taele was arrested at Trump National Golf Club Los Angeles in Rancho Palos Verdes ahead of Trump's scheduled visit. During Wednesday's hearing, the judge cited statements from a pretrial evaluation indicating Taele was not mentally competent to proceed with his case.
Taele appeared in court wearing a vest designed to prevent self-harm, while family members and friends watched from the courtroom. Judge Lonergan declined to set bail and ordered that Taele remain jailed pending the mental health court hearing.
The judge also expressed concern over writings investigators allegedly recovered following Taele's arrest. The material reportedly included schedules for first lady Melania Trump and members of the president's Secret Service detail, along with lists about surviving "off the grid." Lonergan described the case as alarming, particularly amid heightened political tensions ahead of the midterm elections.
What led to Jeanine John Taele's arrest at Trump golf club?
Taele was arrested Aug 2 after federal agents and golf club staff reported suspicious activity at the Rancho Palos Verdes property. Authorities said he had previously been seen photographing and recording security-planning activities at the golf course.
According to federal prosecutors, Taele allegedly told agents that he worked for the State Department and was at the property as part of a security detail. Deputies later found a magazine containing hollow-point ammunition in his pocket. A search of his pickup truck uncovered a loaded 9mm pistol, binoculars and a badge identifying him as a "security protection agent."
Investigators subsequently searched Taele's Downey home and said they recovered an illegally modified AR-style rifle, additional firearms, body armor, high-capacity magazines and other items. Federal prosecutors have separately charged him with possession of an unregistered short-barreled rifle.
Taele's attorney, public defender AJ Bayne, cautioned against assuming what motivated his client's actions. He pointed to Taele's military service and said his family continues to support him.
