Following the Secret Service’s discovery of a suspected sniper’s nest with a direct line of sight to the presidential aircraft’s boarding and departure area, US President Donald Trump boarded Air Force One on Sunday using a smaller set of stairs as part of heightened security measures at Palm Beach International Airport, according to Fox News.
FBI Director Kash Patel told Fox News that “USSS found what appeared to be an elevated hunting stand within sight line of the Air Force One landing zone prior to the President’s return to West Palm Beach.”
He went on to say that no one was discovered at the scene and that the FBI has taken over the investigation, sending out teams to gather evidence and use sophisticated monitoring tools. “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,” Patel stated.
No explosives or ammunition were found at the location, according to officials. But the structure’s existence immediately led to an examination of airport security procedures.
FBI Examines Palm Beach Airport Security Breach
The wooden structure was found about 200 yards from the area of the airstrip where Air Force One had just been parked, according to the FBI. The presidential plane was reportedly stationed somewhere at the airport, but continuous construction pushed it closer to a private plane area, potentially putting it in view of the perch, according to local media.
Investigators are looking into who constructed or used the building, as well as whether it was related to any current security threats, according to FBI Director Patel. “The hunting stand has not yet been connected to any individual,” Patel stated.
Since the investigation is still ongoing, authorities have not made any arrest announcements.
Trump reportedly used the lower, rear stairs to enter Air Force One because of the security alert, a tactic often used in low-visibility or high-threat scenarios. The change was made by the Secret Service to reduce exposure while boarding.
TRUMP’S TWO ASSASSINATION ATTEMPTS
The sniper’s nest was found after Trump was the target of two prior assassination attempts.
Trump escaped a sniper attack at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, in July 2024. The perpetrator was neutralized by Secret Service agents after gunfire was directed at the stage.
On September 15, two months later, 59-year-old Ryan Wesley Routh was taken into custody for allegedly trying to carry out another killing from a sniper position close to Trump’s West Palm Beach golf course.
