An armed man was arrested near former President Donald Trump's rally in Coachella, California, on Saturday, raising concerns of a potential assassination attempt. The suspect, identified as 49-year-old Vem Miller, a Las Vegas resident, was taken into custody after deputies discovered firearms and fake event passes in his possession, according to Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco.
Miller was stopped at a security checkpoint after allegedly trying to enter the rally with falsified VIP and media credentials. His SUV raised suspicions due to its disarray and fake license plates. Upon further inspection, officers found a loaded handgun, a shotgun, and multiple passports with different names. According to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office, the firearms were unregistered.
Last night after the California Coachella Trump rally, I expected to find my car vandalized. Thankfully, this isn’t mine, but violent, hateful, racist leftists destroyed 100s of cars belonging to Trump supporters. The real violence & hate are coming from Kamala supporters. pic.twitter.com/T3p9uZHwTM
— Amy Reichert (@amyforsandiego) October 13, 2024
The arrest is being investigated as a possible assassination plot—the third such threat against Trump in recent months, according to Bianco. He emphasized that Miller’s behavior and the items found in his vehicle, including high-capacity magazines, suggested he was potentially planning an attack on the former president. However, Miller denies these accusations, claiming they are "complete bulls***." He asserts that he is a Trump supporter and had no intention of harming anyone at the rally.
Despite the seriousness of the incident, both the Secret Service and the FBI have stated that Trump was never in any danger.
🚨 #BREAKING: A man possessing MULTIPLE firearms was arrested outside Trump’s Coachella rally yesterday after he tried to enter with a FAKE VIP pass, authorities say
This was yet ANOTHER ass*ssination attempt!
According Sheriff Chad Bianco, the man said he wanted to “k*ll the… pic.twitter.com/1qjzX5jVMp
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) October 13, 2024
"This incident did not impact the safety of former President Trump or attendees of the event," the Secret Service said in a joint statement with the FBI, though investigations into Miller’s motives are ongoing. Sheriff Bianco stood firm on his assessment that the arrest likely averted an assassination attempt, even as federal authorities have yet to file related charges.
Miller was released on $5,000 bail after being booked for firearm violations. He is scheduled to appear in court in January 2025. His past includes involvement in a Nevada State Assembly race in 2022, and he is believed to have a history of legal troubles, including ties to conspiracy theories and anti-government rhetoric. Social media posts also show him posing with several conservative figures, further complicating his portrayal as a potential threat to Trump.
This arrest is the latest in a string of assassination scares targeting Trump. Earlier this year, other armed men were stopped before reaching the former president. In one case, a gunman fired shots at Trump during a Pennsylvania rally in July, narrowly missing him.
As the 2024 presidential election heats up, security concerns around Trump have intensified, with law enforcement remaining vigilant amid the heightened tensions surrounding his rallies. Despite the growing threats, Trump continues to attract large crowds as he campaigns across the country, with Coachella being the latest stop in his efforts to secure the Republican nomination.
