President Donald Trump was forced to use the small, so-called “Biden Stairs” to enter Air Force One after federal agents discovered a suspicious snipers nest with a direct view of the plane’s exit at Palm Beach International Airport.
The Secret Service found the elevated structure during routine security sweeps before Trump’s weekend arrival in Florida. FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed no one was at the location when agents made the discovery.
“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 said. “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.”
The stand sits across Southern Boulevard from the airport, approximately 200 yards from where the presidential aircraft parks. Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said the discovery caused no disruption to Trump’s travel plans. He arrived in Florida on Friday and spent the weekend at his Mar-a-Lago resort.
“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,” Guglielmi said.
The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office closed Southern Boulevard between Congress Avenue and Military Trail on Thursday afternoon while the FBI conducted its investigation. The road runs directly past the section of the airport where Trump’s plane typically parks.
Locals said there is no hunting permitted in the urban area surrounding the airport. The stand faced toward the airport tarmac rather than away from it, as would be typical for hunting wildlife.
This marks the third known assassination threat against Trump in recent months.
Ryan Routh was convicted last month for attempting to kill the Trump at his West Palm Beach golf course on September 15, 2024. Secret Service agents spotted the barrel of Routh’s rifle sticking through the fence line before Trump reached that area of the course.
The golf course incident followed the July 2024 assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania, where gunman Thomas Matthew Crooks fired shots at Trump from a nearby rooftop during a campaign rally. A bullet grazed Trump’s right ear. Corey Comperatore, a 50-year-old volunteer firefighter, was killed in that attack. Two others were wounded.
The FBI said they have not yet identified who placed the hunting stand or determined when it was erected. Patel said investigators are analyzing evidence collected from the scene and using cell phone data to track any individuals who may have been in the area.
Secret Service protocols for Air Force One arrivals and departures have been adjusted following the discovery. The agency has not disclosed specific changes to its security procedures.
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