Authorities apprehended a man armed with firearms and carrying false press and VIP passes at a campaign rally for Donald Trump in California on Saturday.
The suspect, identified as Vem Miller, was stopped by police at a checkpoint roughly half a mile from the rally’s entrance in Coachella Valley shortly before the event commenced, police reported on Sunday.
Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco stated, “We likely prevented another assassination attempt,” adding that Miller had plotted to kill Trump.
According to authorities, Miller was in possession of a loaded shotgun, a handgun, and a high-capacity magazine, and is believed to be linked to a right-wing anti-government group. He holds a master’s degree from UCLA and had previously run for the Nevada state assembly in 2022. Sheriff Bianco noted that Miller identifies as a “sovereign citizen,” part of a group that rejects the authority of government laws unless they consent to them.
Suspicion was initially raised by Miller’s identification card, which local rally security found unusual enough to notify deputies. “The differences in the credentials set off alarms,” Bianco said, according to the Riverside Press-Enterprise.
Miller was taken into custody for possession of a loaded firearm and a high-capacity magazine but was released after posting $5,000 bail, according to police records.
The sheriff’s office confirmed that the incident did not compromise the safety of Trump or the rally attendees. The Secret Service also issued a statement acknowledging the arrest, emphasizing that “protective operations were not impacted” and expressing appreciation to local law enforcement for their efforts.
This incident follows two previous threats to Trump’s life in recent months. In July, a bullet grazed Trump’s ear during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Then, in September, a man was charged with attempting to assassinate Trump after being found with a rifle near his Palm Beach golf course.
Reflecting on the situation, Sheriff Bianco remarked, “I didn’t anticipate a third attempt here in Riverside County. We don’t face the same issues with violent protests as Los Angeles. It’s surprising.”
Additionally, the FBI is reportedly questioning another man after bomb-sniffing dogs repeatedly flagged him as potentially dangerous. The individual was barred from entering the rally, according to Bianco.
Miller is scheduled to appear at the Indio Larson Justice Center on January 2, 2025, as per the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department records.
