Red Beam, White House, High Stakes: A Man Faces Prison for Pointing a Laser at Marine One During Trump's Helicopter Flight
On a quiet Saturday night near the White House, a man was arrested after pointing a red laser at Marine One as President Trump’s helicopter passed overhead. A Secret Service officer securing the intersection of 17th Street and Constitution Avenue NW observed the beam directed at the aircraft. The man was detained and the laser pointer was seized.
In This Article:
The Night the Secret Service Hit Pause: Laser Directed at Marine One
The officer’s affidavit describes the moment: Winkler, shirtless and talking loudly to himself, was observed at the scene. When the officer shone his flashlight at Winkler, he returned the glare with a red laser, briefly disorienting the officer. Marine One flew directly overhead, and the officer then saw Winkler point the laser at the helicopter. The officer detained Winkler and recovered the laser pointer.
The Suspect's Words — Apologies, Denials, and The Question of Intent
Winkler repeatedly said he should apologize to Donald Trump. He claimed he didn’t know it was illegal to point the laser at Marine One and said he had pointed the laser at other things, such as stop signs. The line that “stop signs can’t fall out of the sky when you point a laser at them” underscores the seriousness of aiming at aircraft.
The Legal and Safety Context: A Felony With Serious Penalties
Laser pointers should carry warnings, such as 'Do not aim laser at the eye.' Disorientation on the ground from a laser hit is bad enough; for a pilot in flight the consequences could be catastrophic. In 2023 there were more than 13,000 laser-pointer strikes on aircraft, with a similar count in 2024. Tracing lasers back to their source is easier than many think. Winkler is not charged with an attempted attack on the President, but pointing a laser at an aircraft is a felony, punishable by a fine of up to $32,646 per violation and/or up to five years in prison.
Why This Matters: Lasers in the Skies Demand Respect
The incident serves as a reminder of the dangers lasers pose to pilots, crew, and national security. The story notes that lasers are used in many contexts, but they must never be aimed upward toward aircraft. While Winkler’s apologies suggest no malicious intent toward Trump, the act remains a serious offense with real consequences.
