Man arrested at Trump rally denies sheriff’s claim of 3rd assassination attempt: What we know
A dramatic scene unfolded outside Donald Trump’s rally in the Southern California desert on Saturday, as a Las Vegas man was apprehended with a loaded weapon in his vehicle. However, the man, Vem Miller, adamantly refutes the local sheriff’s allegations that he had intentions to assassinate the former president.
Moments before the rally in Coachella Valley, Miller, 49, was halted at a security checkpoint while driving an unregistered black SUV. Upon conducting a search of the vehicle, law enforcement discovered a shotgun, a loaded handgun, a high-capacity magazine, as well as multiple passports and driver’s licenses bearing different names, as reported by the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office.
Subsequently, Miller was taken into custody and processed at a local jail in Indio, California, under the suspicion of possessing a loaded firearm and a high-capacity magazine. He was later released on $5,000 bail and is slated to make a court appearance on Jan. 2, 2025.
The incident unfolded amidst escalated security measures following two recent assassination attempts directed at the former president. In July, Trump narrowly escaped a bullet at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, where one rally attendee lost their life, and two others sustained injuries. The shooter, a 20-year-old, was swiftly neutralized by the Secret Service after climbing atop a nearby building.
Just last month, a 58-year-old individual was arrested and charged with attempted assassination after authorities apprehended him near Trump’s golf club in West Palm Beach, Florida, while allegedly concealing a rifle in the trees.
In a press briefing on Sunday, Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco conveyed his belief that law enforcement had effectively foiled a potential third assassination plot against the former president.
“I truly do believe we prevented another assassination attempt,” asserted Bianco during the media briefing, emphasizing the significance of averting any possible harm aimed at Trump.
Disputing the accusations made against him, Miller vehemently denied harboring any ill intent towards Trump. In an interview with Fox News Digital, he asserted his ardent support for the former president, citing the proliferation of death threats he has faced since establishing America Happens Network, a niche podcast network focused on combatting censorship.
“I always travel around with my firearms in the back of my truck,” Miller explained, underscoring his commitment to self-defense and protection amidst perceived threats.
In a unified statement, the U.S. Secret Service and FBI sought to allay concerns about the safety of Trump and rally attendees, affirming that neither the former president nor the event participants were in immediate danger at any point during the incident.
“The U.S. Secret Service assesses that the incident did not impact protective operations and former President Trump was not in any danger,” the statement read, assuring the public that ongoing investigations are being conducted to ascertain all pertinent details.
