A man was arrested after pointing a laser at the presidential helicopter Marine One while President Donald Trump was on board. Jacob Samuel Winkler faces federal felony charges, which could result in up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
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The incident occurred on September 20 near the White House, as the helicopter was taking off from the south grounds of the presidential residence.
According to the Secret Service, the suspect, who was walking shirtless and talking to himself, pointed a red laser at the eyes of an agent before aiming the beam at Marine One. The agent considered the action dangerous, as it could cause temporary blindness or disorientation of the pilot, increasing the risk of an aerial collision with other helicopters and nearby structures. Winkler was also carrying a fixed-blade knife with a three-inch blade at the time of his arrest.
During the arrest, Winkler knelt and repeatedly apologized to Trump, stating that he didn’t know he wasn’t allowed to point the laser at the helicopter. He also said that he often points the laser at various objects, including traffic signs.
The FAA warns that laser strikes on aircraft can incapacitate pilots and put thousands of people at risk; in 2024 alone, more than 12,000 incidents were reported.
Source: USA Today | Photo: X @WhiteHouse | This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team
🚨 BREAKING: A man has been charged with aiming a laser at Marine One Saturday while President Trump was on board, per the DOJ
Jacob Samuel Winkler has been charged with aiming the beam of a laser pointer at an aircraft, a FELONY, and is facing five years in prison.
Idiot. pic.twitter.com/U82xoMPf77
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) September 22, 2025
