Law enforcement officials in California reported that they likely prevented a third assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump. The arrest took place during Trump’s campaign rally in Coachella, where a man was apprehended outside the event with unregistered firearms and multiple passports.
Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco addressed reporters on Sunday, detailing the events surrounding the arrest of 49-year-old Vem Miller, a Nevada resident. According to Sheriff Bianco, deputies stopped Miller at a security perimeter after he arrived in an unregistered vehicle sporting a fake license plate. The suspect was found in possession of two loaded firearms and a high-capacity magazine.
“If you’re asking me right now, I probably did have deputies that prevented the third assassination attempt,” Bianco stated, underscoring the seriousness of the situation. Miller was taken into custody without incident and subsequently released on bail. He is scheduled to appear in court on January 2, 2025, facing gun charges.
In an interview with Southern California News Group, Miller, a self-identified Trump supporter, vehemently denied any intent to harm the former president, calling the allegations “complete bulls**t.” He described himself as an artist, asserting that he would never resort to violence.
The arrest has drawn attention to the security measures surrounding Trump’s campaign events, especially following recent threats against his life. The U.S. Secret Service, however, stated that the incident did not affect their protective operations and that Trump was not in danger at the time of the arrest. The U.S. Attorney’s Office confirmed that no federal arrest has been made yet, but investigations are ongoing.
This incident follows a series of alarming events involving threats against Trump. Just weeks prior, a man named Ryan Routh was charged with attempting to assassinate Trump while he was golfing at his Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida. Routh has pleaded not guilty to the charges against him.
Moreover, the scrutiny surrounding security protocols has intensified after Trump was shot in the ear during a July campaign rally in Pennsylvania. The U.S. Secret Service acknowledged significant failures in security planning for that event, leading to calls for improved protective measures.
As the investigation into Miller’s arrest continues, concerns about the safety of political figures during campaign events remain at the forefront of public discussion, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement in protecting high-profile individuals.
