Deputies in Riverside County, California, arrested a man carrying multiple illegal firearms near a Trump campaign rally, sparking concerns of another assassination attempt against the former president.
🚔 What Happened: Riverside County deputies stopped a black SUV at a checkpoint in Coachella just before Trump’s rally Saturday. Inside, they found 49-year-old Vem Miller, a Las Vegas resident, armed with a shotgun, a loaded handgun, and a high-capacity magazine.
• Miller reportedly presented fake press passes and identification.
• The SUV was unregistered and displayed fake license plates associated with “sovereign citizen” groups.
According to Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, Miller’s suspicious behavior and unusual vehicle raised alarms, prompting a search that uncovered the weapons. Bianco suggested this might have been the third assassination attempt against Trump, although he acknowledged that this remains speculation.
🧾 The Details:
• Miller, who claimed to be a journalist, was also found with multiple fake passports under different names.
• He was booked on charges related to illegal firearm possession and was released on $5,000 bail the next day.
• Federal agencies, including the FBI and U.S. Secret Service, are aware of the incident and continue to investigate, though they do not believe Trump was in immediate danger.
- Miller was a registered Republican.
🔍 Between the Lines:
Bianco has walked back the direct assertion of an assassination plot but maintained that the potential for such a threat exists. Officials have not indicated any federal charges against Miller at this time, but additional charges could emerge as the investigation unfolds.
🌍 The Big Picture: This arrest is the latest in a series of security scares involving Trump, whose rallies have seen increased hostility this election cycle. Two previous violent incidents occurred this year —one involving a shooting in Pennsylvania and another with a Florida man hiding near a golf course.
Federal authorities have thanked Riverside County deputies for their actions, but questions remain about whether this recent arrest indicates a broader pattern of targeted violence as the 2024 election intensifies.
