The FBI is currently investigating a hunting stand discovered near the Palm Beach International Airport, where President Donald Trump deplanes from Air Force One. The U.S. Secret Service identified the stand during advance security preparations for the President’s visit, and the FBI has taken the lead in investigating the site. FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed that the stand has not yet been linked to any individual, though agents are collecting evidence and analyzing the situation with cellular analytics capabilities.
The Secret Service chief of communications, Anthony Guglielmi, emphasized that the discovery did not impact any movement of the President’s security team, and no individuals were found on-site. He reiterated the importance of the agency’s layered security measures, noting that while specific details of the stand’s contents or the intent behind it remain undisclosed, the incident underscores the need for vigilance. Law enforcement sources suggest the stand may have been set up months ago, though its exact purpose remains unclear.
This incident follows a recent assassination attempt on Trump at a Palm Beach golf course, where Ryan Routh was found guilty of attempting to assassinate the President from a sniper’s nest in bushes near a fence line. Routh, 59, faces multiple charges, including attempted assassination of a major presidential candidate, assault on a federal officer, and various firearms violations. The investigation into the recent hunting stand is part of a broader scrutiny of potential security threats following these incidents.
The Secret Service has stated it is collaborating closely with the FBI and local law enforcement in Palm Beach County to assess the situation fully. With Trump’s return to West Palm Beach, heightened security measures are in place as authorities continue to monitor the area for any further threats. The discovery of the hunting stand has prompted discussions about the effectiveness of current security protocols and the potential risks associated with high-profile political figures traveling to such locations.