A man carrying a rifle painted in a “Joker” comic-book style and wearing a body armor vest was arrested near Trump National Golf Club in Rancho Palos Verdes, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department confirmed.
The arrest
Deputies stopped the man in the immediate vicinity of the club, which is owned by President Donald Trump’s Trump Organization. No injuries were reported, and no direct threats to club visitors were recorded at the time of the incident, according to the Sheriff’s Department.
The suspect faces charges of illegal possession of a firearm. His name had not been released as of publication. The Sheriff’s Department confirmed the arrest but has not disclosed the exact time or full circumstances of the stop.
Background
Trump National Golf Club sits on the Palos Verdes Peninsula along the southern Los Angeles County coastline. Security at Trump-affiliated properties has been a recurring federal concern.
In September 2024, the Secret Service thwarted an alleged assassination attempt at a Trump golf course in Florida. Following that incident, security was significantly reinforced at presidential properties nationwide.
What comes next
The suspect faces potential prosecution under California’s firearms statutes, among the strictest in the country. Investigators are working to determine a motive and any possible associations, the Sheriff’s Department said. It remains unclear whether federal agencies, including the Secret Service or the FBI, have joined the investigation. No court date has been announced.