Suspicious Hunting Stand With Direct Line Of Sight To Trump Found Near Palm Beach Airport

Federal authorities launched an investigation Thursday after discovering an abandoned hunting stand that overlooked President Donald Trump’s arrival area at Palm Beach International Airport.

The elevated structure sat empty when Secret Service agents spotted it during routine security sweeps. A law enforcement source told Fox News the stand appeared to have been erected “months ago.”

FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed his agency deployed resources to collect evidence from the scene and activated cell phone analytics capabilities to trace potential suspects. No individuals have been connected to the stand.

The discovery occurred before Trump landed in Palm Beach, allowing agents to secure the area without disrupting presidential movements. Secret Service communications chief Anthony Guglielmi confirmed no one was present at the location when agents made the discovery. (RELATED: Jury Finds Ryan Routh Guilty Of Attempting To Assassinate President Trump)

BREAKING: The U.S. Secret Service uncovered a suspicious hunting stand with a direct line of sight to where President Trump exits Air Force One at the Palm Beach International Airport, officials tell FOX News Digital. pic.twitter.com/xFi42bpVcv

— Fox News (@FoxNews) October 19, 2025

“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,” Patel told Fox News. “No individuals were located at the scene.”

Palm Beach County law enforcement joined federal investigators in processing the scene. While officials declined to specify what items agents recovered, Guglielmi called the finding significant.

“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,” he said.

The concerning discovery follows two recent attempts on Trump’s life. Ryan Routh, 59, faces five federal charges for allegedly building a sniper’s nest at a Palm Beach golf course. Earlier, a gunman wounded Trump’s ear at a Butler, Pa. rally.

The FBI continues investigating who placed the stand and when.