FBI probes hunting stand with sightline to Trump’s Air Force One exit

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
20 Oct 2025 09:01

The FBI is investigating a suspicious hunting stand with direct line of sight of Air Force One's landing zone in Palm Beach.

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The US Secret Service discovered a hunting stand near the airport that President Donald Trump uses in Florida (US Secret Service)

The Federal Bureau of Investigation has taken charge of an inquiry after Secret Service agents located a hunting stand overlooking the section of Palm Beach International Airport where President Donald Trump exits Air Force One.

The structure was spotted on October 17 during a routine security sweep ahead of Trump's weekend visit to his Mar-a-Lago residence, authorities confirmed. The discovery prompted the temporary closure of Southern Boulevard, a main road bordering the airport, as investigators conducted a full inspection of the area.

FBI Director Kash Patel said in an October 19 statement that agents "spotted a suspicious stand near the AF1 zone," adding that the bureau had assumed the lead role in the investigation. The Secret Service described the structure as an item of interest, noting that no individuals were seen in the vicinity.

"There was no impact to any movements, and no individuals were present or involved at the location," Secret Service spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi 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."

This is disturbing ,,,,that someone could set up a sniper's nest with direct visual on Air Force 1.

the article : https://t.co/M9Yj6AY4y0 pic.twitter.com/vlPTlIV3su
— Aviation and Naval Assets (@AirAssets) October 19, 2025

Heightened security concerns

The site's proximity to the president's arrival zone has drawn particular concern, given recent security incidents involving Trump. In July 2024, he was wounded in the ear after a gunman opened fire from a rooftop during a campaign rally in Pennsylvania, killing one supporter and injuring two others. The attacker, 20-year-old Thomas Crooks, was shot dead by Secret Service agents.

Two months later, in September, Ryan Routh was convicted of attempting to assassinate Trump at his West Palm Beach golf club, just a short distance from the airport now under investigation.

Local law enforcement assisted federal agents in securing the scene through the weekend. Authorities have not disclosed whether the stand was newly placed or had been in position for some time.

Before every presidential visit, the Secret Service establishes a tight perimeter around the designated Air Force One zone, deploying rooftop sharpshooters, police checkpoints, and barricades made of school buses. The agency said these precautions functioned exactly as intended, ensuring there was no disruption to the president's movements.

Political and social backdrop

The incident comes amid a period of growing public hostility toward Trump, whose presidency has become increasingly divisive even among segments of the Republican base. Nationwide protests under the banner of the "No Kings" movement have gained traction, criticizing what demonstrators describe as his authoritarian governing style and attempts to consolidate executive power.

Polls show declining approval ratings, with a recent Emerson College survey placing Trump's national approval at 45 percent, while 48 percent disapprove of his performance. Economic dissatisfaction has also deepened; 40 percent of voters say their household finances are worse off than a year ago, feeding discontent across both parties.

While Trump continues to command loyalty from hardline supporters, the combination of economic unease, political polarization, and intensified opposition movements has created an environment of volatility and resentment, raising further questions about the climate in which such security threats are emerging.