The FBI is investigating a hunting stand that was found in the line of sight of Air Force One on Friday.
FBI Director Kash Patel told The Hill affiliate NewsNation that the Secret Service “discovered an elevated hunting stand within visual line of sight of the Air Force One landing zone” before President Trump arrived at Palm Beach International Airport.
“No one was present at the scene. The FBI has since taken over the lead of the investigation, mobilizing resources to collect all evidence at the scene and deploying its cellphone analytics capabilities,” Patel said.
When contacted for comment, Secret Service communications chief Anthony Guglielmi said the agency is “working closely with the FBI and our law enforcement partners in Palm Beach County.” He also confirmed that the FBI is leading the investigation.
“During advance security preparations prior to Palm Beach arrival, which included the use of technology and extensive physical checks, our teams identified objects of interest near Palm Beach International Airport,” Guglielmi said. “There was no impact on any activity, and no individuals were present or involved at that location.”
A photo taken by the Secret Service and provided to The Hill shows a stand supported by green ropes located in a tree.
Courtesy of the US Secret Service
The president departed Joint Base Andrews in Maryland at approximately 4:45 a.m. EDT on Friday and arrived at Palm Beach International Airport at approximately 6:25 p.m. He spent the weekend at his Mar-a-Lago club, and returned to Washington, DC, on Sunday afternoon.
last month, a man accused Pointing a laser beam at the presidential helicopter Marine One while he was aboard.
A day later, a Florida jury also found a man guilty He was accused of plotting to assassinate the president at the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach last September. The man, Ryan Routh, 59, faces life in prison.
