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By Hollie Silverman and Adeola Adeosun
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The U.S. Secret Service (USSS) discovered an elevated hunting stand with a direct line of sight to President Donald Trump's Air Force One landing zone at Palm Beach International Airport on Thursday, prompting a federal investigation.
The structure was found during advance security preparations ahead of the president's return to West Palm Beach, Florida, according to an exclusive report from Fox News.
FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed the discovery in a statement to Newsweek on Sunday afternoon, stating: "The FBI has since taken the investigatory lead—flying in resources to collect all evidence from the scene, and deploying our cell phone analytics capabilities."
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No individuals were present at the scene, and no one has been taken into custody in connection with the discovery.
Newsweek has also reached out to the White House via email on Sunday for comment.
Why It Matters
Trump, who survived two assassination attempts during the 2024 presidential campaign, has received numerous death threats since his inauguration in January. The failed attempts against his life prompted a heightening of his Secret Service protection, which the agency said following November's election would "be maintained moving forward."
More recently, Ryan Routh was found guilty of attempting to assassinate Trump at a Palm Beach golf course where he set up a sniper's nest in bushes along a fence line. Routh was charged with five federal criminal counts, including attempting to assassinate a major presidential candidate, assaulting a federal officer, and multiple firearms offenses.
The discovery of this hunting stand, positioned with direct sight lines to the Air Force One landing zone, has raised immediate security alarms among federal agencies coordinating presidential protection efforts and suggests that threats to Trump continue to evolve across multiple locations and methods.
What To Know
According to law enforcement sources, the hunting stand appeared to have been constructed months ago, suggesting it was not recently erected in response to Trump's arrival.
USSS Chief of Communications Anthony Guglielmi told Fox News that while specific details about items found at the location cannot be disclosed, "there was no impact to any movements, and no individuals were present or involved at the location."
The discovery occurred as part of routine advance security preparations that precede all presidential movements to the West Palm Beach area. The USSS emphasized that layered security measures prevented any direct threat to the president.
Patel indicated that his agency is coordinating with the Department of Justice (DOJ) regarding any legal processes required as the investigation proceeds.
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What People Are Saying
FBI Director Kash Patel told Newsweek on Sunday: "Prior to the President's return to West Palm Beach, USSS discovered what appeared to be an elevated hunting stand within sight line of the Air Force One landing zone. The FBI has since taken the investigatory lead, flying in resources to collect all evidence from the scene, and deploying our cell phone analytics capabilities."
USSS Chief of Communications Anthony Guglielmi told Fox News: "There was no impact to any movements, and no individuals were present or involved at the location. While we are not able to provide details about the specific items or their intent, this incident underscores the importance of our layered security measures."
What Happens Next?
The FBI investigation is ongoing, with federal resources actively collecting evidence from the scene and analyzing cell phone data to identify potential individuals involved in constructing or monitoring the structure.
Law enforcement agencies in Palm Beach County are also coordinating with federal investigators.
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