A man armed with weapons was arrested on Sunday near Donald Trump’s golf course in the Los Angeles area, two days before the U.S. president was scheduled to appear there. According to local police, federal agents in civilian clothes noticed behavior by the 38-year-old suspect suggesting he was monitoring security preparations for Trump's visit. During the arrest and subsequent search of his residence, law enforcement found firearms, ammunition, and other items linked to potential threats. At the time of the arrest, officers discovered a magazine capable of holding 16 rounds. Inside the suspect’s car on the golf course parking lot, they found a loaded pistol and another magazine filled with hollow-point bullets. The California state police charged the man with carrying a concealed weapon and possessing prohibited ammunition. Additionally, he faces charges related to a separate robbery case, according to a prosecutor from the state of California who shared information via social media. During a follow-up search of the suspect’s nearby home in Downey, authorities uncovered a modified AR-style assault rifle, a handgun, magazines, ammunition, body armor, and “multiple notebooks containing alarming statements.” Police did not disclose the content of the notebooks but confirmed that investigations were being conducted jointly with anti-terrorism units and the Secret Service, which is responsible for protecting the president. The suspect remains in custody while prosecutors review the allegations against him. Trump attended the Trump National Golf Club in the suburb of Rancho Palos Verdes on Tuesday evening to raise funds for the Republican Party during an event. Speaking with Fox News in California, Trump commented on the arrest, stating it gave him “a little comfort” that only significant presidents become targets. “And I’m definitely significant,” he added. This incident is not the first time Trump has been targeted. Authorities have not yet attributed an attack plan to the current suspect, but previous security incidents involving Trump’s golf courses have occurred. In September 2024, the Secret Service shot at a man hiding in bushes on one of Trump’s golf courses in Florida. Although the suspect did not fire a shot, he fled and was later arrested. He was sentenced to life imprisonment in February 2026 for attempted assassination. Earlier, in July 2024, a shooter opened fire on Trump from a nearby rooftop during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Trump suffered an injury to his right ear, a visitor died, and two others were wounded. The perpetrator was killed by security forces. The United States has relatively lenient gun laws compared to many other countries. In most states, weapons such as pistols and assault rifles can be obtained fairly easily. This context underscores the ongoing concerns regarding public safety and the measures required to protect high-profile individuals.
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