A 49-year-old man named Vem Miller was arrested near Donald Trump’s rally in Coachella, California, on Saturday after being found in illegal possession of firearms. Miller was driving a black SUV when he was stopped at a security checkpoint by deputies, who discovered a shotgun, a loaded handgun, and a high-capacity magazine in his vehicle. He was taken into custody without incident by the Riverside County Sheriff's Office and later charged with possession of a loaded firearm and a high-capacity magazine.
The US Secret Service confirmed that Trump was never in danger and that the security operations were unaffected by the arrest. Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco described Miller as a “lunatic” and praised his officers for possibly preventing what he believed could have been a third assassination attempt on Trump, although he acknowledged it may be difficult to prove this was the suspect's intent.
Despite Sheriff Bianco's belief, federal authorities, including the US Attorney’s Office, the Secret Service, and the FBI, continue to investigate and have not concluded that Miller was planning an assassination attempt.
Miller’s vehicle raised suspicions as it neared an outer security perimeter near the rally. As he approached a closer checkpoint, multiple irregularities were noticed, including a fake license plate and a disorganized interior. Deputies found several passports, driving licenses with different names, and a homemade license plate in the car.
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Miller also claimed to be affiliated with the Sovereign Citizens, a far-right group known for rejecting government authority and laws. Sheriff Bianco noted that while the group is not militant, they believe they are exempt from government control.
The incident occurred around 5:00 p.m. local time, just an hour before Trump was scheduled to speak. It highlights the heightened security concerns surrounding the former president, especially with the upcoming election just weeks away. Trump's security has been a focus of concern following two previous alleged assassination attempts earlier this year.
In one such incident, a sniper fired multiple shots at a Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, killing a person in the crowd. In another case, a man was arrested in September near Trump’s West Palm Beach golf club after being found with a rifle while hiding in nearby bushes. These events have led to increased security measures at Trump’s public appearances.
Miller was charged with two misdemeanor weapons offenses and released on $5,000 bail. No federal charges have been filed yet, but authorities continue to investigate the incident. During a Sunday press conference, Sheriff Bianco said he was unable to release all details due to the ongoing investigation.
Federal agencies, including the Secret Service and FBI, thanked local law enforcement for ensuring the safety of the event and confirmed that Trump was never at risk during the rally.
