Secret Service Discovers Suspicious Hunting Stand Near Air Force One

The United States Secret Service has uncovered a suspicious hunting stand located in a tree with a direct line of sight to Air Force One, raising concerns about President Donald Trump’s security. The discovery took place ahead of the President’s return to West Palm Beach, Florida, where he is spending the weekend at Mar-a-Lago.

According to FBI Director Kash Patel, the elevated hunting stand was found within the vicinity of the landing zone for Air Force One. “Prior to the President’s return, USSS discovered what appeared to be an elevated hunting stand within sight line of the Air Force One landing zone,” Patel stated in an interview with Fox News Digital. He emphasized that no individuals were present at the scene when the stand was discovered.

Following the incident, the FBI has taken the lead on the investigation, deploying resources to collect evidence from the site and utilizing cell phone analytics capabilities to gather further information. The hunting stand has not yet been linked to any specific individuals, and the U.S. Secret Service is collaborating closely with local law enforcement in Palm Beach County to address the situation.

Concerns Over Security Lapses

The discovery of the stand comes less than a month after the conviction of Ryan Routh, who was found guilty of a September 2024 plot to assassinate Trump. Routh had managed to get alarmingly close to the then-presidential candidate while Trump was golfing at his Trump International Golf Club property in West Palm Beach. Routh was arrested after being spotted with a rifle, and his actions raised serious questions about security protocols.

Former FBI Supervisory Special Agent John Nantz expressed concerns about the recent security mishaps. He noted that Routh’s close proximity to Trump during the golf outing should not have occurred. “I have heard that … it wasn’t a scheduled movement, okay. Well, I get that, but I’m not really sure I’m satisfied with that explanation,” Nantz commented. He suggested that these incidents reflect ongoing issues with resource allocation for the President’s security detail.

Historical Context and Ongoing Risks

This latest incident adds to a troubling history of security oversights involving Trump. In July 2024, during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, a gunman was able to fire shots aimed at Trump, grazing his ear before being subdued by law enforcement. Reports indicated that limited security resources contributed to this lapse, leading to increased scrutiny of the measures in place to protect the President.

The Secret Service has reassured the public that there was no immediate threat from the hunting stand and that the President’s movements were not impacted by the discovery. Anthony Guglielmi, Chief of Communications for the Secret Service, stated, “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.”

As the FBI continues its investigation, the findings may have broader implications for the security protocols surrounding high-profile figures. The recent events serve as a reminder of the persistent challenges faced by security agencies in safeguarding individuals at risk, particularly those in public life.