Donald Trump has faced security threats since entering national politics, including armed incidents, alleged assassination plots and a 2024 shooting that wounded him. The incidents occurred at campaign events, presidential venues and golf properties. The latest case involves the arrest of a California man near Trump National Golf Club in Rancho Palos Verdes ahead of a scheduled presidential visit. Authorities said weapons, ammunition, body armor and notebooks containing concerning statements were recovered.
The cases below range from a 2016 attempt to seize a police officer’s firearm to an alleged attack at a 2026 White House correspondents’ dinner. Some ended in convictions and lengthy prison sentences, while others remain pending.
| No. | Article Subheadings |
|---|---|
| 1) | Early campaign threats and security breaches |
| 2) | The 2020 ricin letter case |
| 3) | The Butler rally shooting |
| 4) | Golf-course and Washington incidents |
| 5) | The latest California arrest |
Early campaign threats and security breaches
On June 18, 2016, while then-candidate Trump spoke at a campaign rally in Las Vegas, British national Michael Steven Sandford tried to pull a police officer’s handgun from its holster. Investigators said Sandford had traveled to Las Vegas intending to kill Trump and had practiced with a rented handgun the previous day. Officers subdued him, and no one was injured. Sandford pleaded guilty to federal firearm and disruption charges and received 12 months and one day.
On Sept. 6, 2017, Gregory Lee Leingang stole a forklift and drove it into a restricted area near the planned route of Trump’s motorcade in Mandan, North Dakota. Prosecutors said he intended to overturn the presidential limousine and kill Trump, but the forklift became stuck before the motorcade arrived. Leingang fled, was arrested and later pleaded guilty to federal charges connected to the breach.
The 2020 ricin letter case
In September 2020, Pascale Ferrier mailed a threatening letter containing homemade ricin to Trump at the White House. The envelope was intercepted at a mail-sorting facility, so Trump was not exposed. Ferrier also sent ricin letters to eight law enforcement officials in Texas.
Ferrier was arrested at the U.S.-Canada border with a loaded gun and hundreds of rounds of ammunition. She pleaded guilty to federal biological-weapons violations and was sentenced in Washington to 262 months, or nearly 22 years, in prison.
The Butler rally shooting
On July 13, 2024, Thomas Matthew Crooks opened fire from a rooftop outside the security perimeter of a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Trump was wounded in the right ear. Rally attendee Corey Comperatore was killed, while David Dutch and James Copenhaver were seriously injured.
A Secret Service counter-sniper killed Crooks seconds after the shooting began. The attack prompted scrutiny of protective planning and security failures surrounding the rally, including lawsuits filed by two men who were shot.
Golf-course and Washington incidents
On Sept. 15, 2024, Ryan Wesley Routh concealed himself in brush along the fence of Trump’s golf course in West Palm Beach, Florida, while Trump played nearby. A Secret Service agent spotted a rifle and fired toward Routh, who fled without firing. Authorities arrested him near Palm City and recovered a loaded scoped rifle, armor plates, a camera and other evidence. A federal jury convicted Routh of attempted assassination and related charges in September 2025. In February 2026, a judge sentenced him to life in prison plus seven years.
On April 25, 2026, prosecutors alleged that Cole Tomas Allen entered the Washington Hilton during the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner carrying a shotgun, pistol and knives. Authorities said he rushed a checkpoint and fired, striking a Secret Service officer in the chest. The officer’s ballistic vest prevented a serious injury, and Trump, first lady Melania Trump, Vice President JD Vance and other officials were evacuated. Allen pleaded not guilty to charges including attempted assassination, assault on a federal officer and firearms offenses. The case remains pending.
The latest California arrest
On Aug. 2, 2026, Jeanine John Taele, 38, of Downey, California, was arrested at Trump National Golf Club in Rancho Palos Verdes. Authorities said he had been monitoring security planning activities days before Trump’s scheduled visit. Investigators reported recovering an illegally modified AR-platform rifle, a 1911 .45-caliber pistol, an AR-platform upper receiver, body armor, high-capacity magazines, large quantities of pistol and rifle ammunition, two radio signal devices and notebooks containing concerning statements.
Taele pleaded not guilty to four criminal charges. A Los Angeles County judge set bail at $250,000, barred him from possessing weapons or entering the golf club, and prohibited him from leaving California while the case proceeds. The Secret Service said it does not discuss specific protective-intelligence matters but investigates activity that may indicate a potential threat or directed interest toward someone under its protection.
| No. | Key Point |
|---|---|
| 1 | Threats have been reported at campaign rallies, presidential venues and golf properties. |
| 2 | The Butler shooting in 2024 killed one attendee and injured three others, including Trump. |
| 3 | Several suspects were convicted, while the cases involving Allen and Taele remain pending. |
| 4 | Protective responses included arrests, counter-sniper action and emergency evacuations. |
Summary
The record of threats against Trump reflects a persistent challenge for protective agencies as his public schedule has continued through campaigns and presidential service. The cases differ in method and legal status, but each required rapid intervention or early detection to prevent further harm. The California arrest adds another security investigation to the timeline.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened at the Butler rally?
On July 13, 2024, Thomas Matthew Crooks fired from a rooftop near the rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Trump was wounded, one attendee was killed and two others were seriously injured before a Secret Service counter-sniper killed Crooks.
Who was arrested at the California golf club?
Jeanine John Taele, 38, of Downey, was arrested on Aug. 2, 2026, at Trump National Golf Club in Rancho Palos Verdes. He pleaded not guilty to four charges.
What weapons were recovered in the California case?
Authorities said they recovered an illegally modified AR-platform rifle, a .45-caliber pistol, body armor, magazines, ammunition, radio signal devices and notebooks containing concerning statements.
