FBI and Secret Service launch urgent investigation after discovering a “hunting stand” with direct line of sight to President Trump’s Air Force One exit zone in Palm Beach
Federal authorities are investigating a disturbing security breach near Palm Beach International Airport after the U.S. Secret Service uncovered what officials described as a “suspicious hunting stand” positioned with a clear line of sight to where President Donald Trump routinely exits Air Force One. The discovery, made just hours before the president’s scheduled return to Florida, has triggered an intensive joint investigation involving the FBI and local law enforcement agencies.
Sources confirmed the elevated platform was discovered “months after it was likely constructed,” raising questions about how long the structure had gone unnoticed in the heavily monitored perimeter near the president’s travel route. FBI Director Kash Patel told Fox News that no individuals were located at the site, but said investigators had deployed forensic teams and digital analytics units to gather every piece of potential evidence, including cell tower data and drone surveillance imagery.
“Prior to the President’s return to West Palm Beach, the Secret Service identified what appeared to be an elevated hunting stand positioned within sight of the Air Force One landing zone,” Patel said. “The FBI has since taken the investigatory lead, flying in additional personnel to process the scene and analyze all electronic activity in the area.”
Photographs from the scene show the wooden, camouflaged platform nestled high among tree branches overlooking a clearing that aligns directly with the airport’s tarmac access route. While no direct threat has been confirmed, officials have classified the discovery as a serious security incident given its proximity to one of the most sensitive locations in the nation — a presidential arrival point.
President Trump was in Florida at the time of the discovery and departed later that evening. His travel proceeded without incident, but sources say the Secret Service immediately expanded protective measures around Palm Beach and nearby Mar-a-Lago, which has served as Trump’s private residence and operational hub during his post-presidency and 2024 campaign activities.
The revelation has reignited public concern over the persistent threats surrounding Trump, who has faced multiple security scares since returning to political life. Online communities erupted overnight with posts under the hashtag #Protect47, a reference to Trump’s status as the 47th President of the United States, calling for heightened vigilance and accountability after what many described as an “unacceptable security lapse.”
Officials have not disclosed whether any weapons, ammunition, or surveillance devices were found at the site, but sources familiar with the investigation say the construction appeared deliberate and professional. “It wasn’t a makeshift treehouse,” one federal agent noted. “It looked built with purpose.”
The incident adds to a growing pattern of elevated security risks tied to Trump’s travel schedule and public events. Earlier this year, federal law enforcement intensified counter-surveillance sweeps at several campaign stops after intelligence suggested credible threats from extremist groups. Law enforcement experts say the Palm Beach discovery underscores how critical protective logistics have become in a politically polarized environment where high-profile figures face unprecedented scrutiny and hostility.
While the FBI’s investigation remains ongoing, the mood among Trump’s supporters has been one of frustration and alarm. Many see the incident as part of a broader failure to adequately safeguard a sitting president whose security profile remains among the most complex in U.S. history. “They will never stop going after him,” one supporter posted, echoing sentiments spreading across social platforms overnight.
For now, investigators are tight-lipped on potential suspects, and the FBI has not ruled out any motive. Officials are reviewing local construction permits, surveillance footage, and digital communication records from the area to determine when and by whom the structure was installed.
As of Sunday, the site remains under federal control, with crime scene tape surrounding the wooded area where the platform stood. The discovery, while not confirmed as a direct assassination plot, represents a sobering reminder of the persistent dangers facing the nation’s highest office — and the enduring need for constant vigilance to protect the man many Americans still see as their champion.
