A man armed with multiple loaded firearms and carrying fake passports was arrested outside a security checkpoint at a rally for former president Donald Trump in Coachella, California. Law enforcement officials have suggested that this could be the “third assassination attempt” against Trump, though the suspect, who identifies as a Trump supporter, has denied these claims.
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Key Details of the Incident
Photo by Gage Skidmore https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0
Riverside County Sheriff’s office held a press conference on Sunday detailing the arrest of 49-year-old Vem Miller from Nevada. Miller was apprehended after deputies stopped his black SUV at a checkpoint near Trump’s rally. Upon inspection, law enforcement discovered multiple unregistered firearms, including a shotgun and a loaded handgun, along with a high-capacity magazine.
Further searches revealed that Miller had several fake passports and driver’s licenses under different names. It was also noted that the license plate on his vehicle was homemade and unregistered.
Miller had attempted to present a fake VIP pass for the Trump rally, which led to further questioning. During this process, he informed authorities that he was a member of the far-right group known as the “Sovereign Citizens.”
Following the discovery, Miller was charged with two firearms-related offenses and was released after posting a $5,000 bail.
Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco commented on the situation, stating that his deputies likely prevented a “third assassination attempt” against the former president. He added, “If I’m going to be accused of being dramatic, we have a serious problem in this country.”
Opposition to the Claims
Miller has strongly rejected the accusations made against him. In an interview with the Southern California News Group, Miller expressed his disbelief and frustration at the situation. He called the allegations “complete bull—t” and emphasized that he would be the last person to cause harm. Miller stated that he was a Trump caucus captain and had been invited to the rally by a Republican official from Clark County.
According to his LinkedIn profile, Miller is a partner at the America Happens Network, which claims to provide news that counters the mainstream media narrative. He also posted an hour-long video on the network’s Rumble channel, where he reiterated his innocence and called the sheriff’s office statements “outright lies.”
Additionally, Miller told the Las Vegas Review-Journal that he had attended 10 other Trump rallies in New York and California while storing firearms in his car.
Miller’s Background
Miller is a registered Republican who previously ran in the GOP primary for a Nevada state assembly seat in 2022. He placed third in the race. His online presence suggests he started his media outlet following his election loss. In a past interview, he expressed concerns about alleged voter fraud and stated his opposition to what he described as government tyranny.
Miller’s Facebook page has featured far-right conspiracy theories, including claims about COVID-19 vaccines and the 9/11 attacks. He has also called for treason charges to be brought against Democratic leaders.
Sheriff Chad Bianco, commenting on the political implications, said, “I couldn’t care less what political party he belonged to. I think that’s the stupidest thing in the world that we have to label something, and we’re labeling this his politics. He was a lunatic.”
Ongoing Debate About the Motive
The arrest of Vem Miller has raised significant concerns and questions, with law enforcement officials warning of a potential assassination plot and Miller maintaining his innocence. The situation has reignited discussions around security at political events and the growing influence of far-right groups. While the investigation continues, the incident highlights the tensions surrounding high-profile political figures in today’s divided political climate.
