Officials have stated that a possible third assassination plot targeting ex-President Donald Trump was stopped at a campaign event in California. Deputies from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department apprehended Nevada resident Vem Miller, age 49, at a security checkpoint outside the Coachella rally on Saturday. Sheriff Chad Bianco mentioned that deputies found several guns and questionable identification papers with Miller, sparking worries about his motives.
Sheriff Bianco announced in a press briefing that Miller was apprehended at an internal security checkpoint following his breach of the outer border. Deputies discovered him in a car without registration, showing a homemade license plate, as well as two firearms loaded and a high-capacity magazine. He also had multiple passports with various identities. Bianco claimed that he likely had deputies who stopped the third assassination attempt if asked at this moment.
Miller was arrested without any issues and was later let go on bail of $5,000. His court appearance is set for January 2, 2025. During a post-release interview, Miller, who professed to supporting Trump, strongly refuted any plans to cause harm to the ex-president. He told reporters that he is an artist and not inclined to violence, dismissing the accusations as complete nonsense.
The U.S. Secret Service, responsible for safeguarding Trump, determined that the incident did not breach security procedures and verified that the ex-president was not at risk during that time. The U.S. Attorney’s Office stated that the inquiry is still in progress, with no federal charges brought against Miller at this time.
This occurrence comes after two prior assassination attempts on Trump. In September, a man named Ryan Routh was accused of planning to assassinate Trump while he was playing golf at Trump International Golf Club in Florida. Routh denies the charges. In July, Trump was wounded in the ear at a rally in Pennsylvania, sparking a lot of attention on security protocols for similar events.
Miller justified carrying firearms for self-defense by claiming he always travels with them due to having received death threats. He maintained that he had informed the authorities at the checkpoint about the weapons and was puzzled by the accusation that the documents he possessed were forged. He claimed that none of them are counterfeit, citing his mixed Armenian and American heritage as well as the historical circumstances related to it.
Miller described himself as a one-time Democrat who has transitioned to holding Republican views and aligning with libertarian principles. He showed his appreciation for Trump, especially for his views on freedom of speech and criticism of the media. Miller emphasized his admiration for the former president since 2018, stating, “I deeply admire this man.”
Following the arrest, a source close to Trump’s campaign commented that they did not view Miller’s actions as an attempt to assassinate. The campaign spokesperson expressed gratitude to law enforcement for their dedication in securing the rally location.
Despite Miller’s insistence on his innocence and his declaration of supporting Trump, Sheriff Bianco did not guess at his reasons, emphasizing the significance of security in today’s political environment. He commented that we stopped a negative outcome, regardless of what that outcome might have been.
As the inquiry continues, the scenario highlights Trump’s heightened security concerns as well as the continuous possibility of violence against public figures in today’s heated political environment.
