A security incident unfolded at a campaign event for former President Donald Trump in Southern California.
According to KTLA, authorities arrested a man at a rally in Coachella for illegal possession of multiple firearms just before the event started.
Law enforcement identified the suspect as Vem Miller, a 49-year-old resident of Las Vegas. Miller was taken into custody after officers discovered a shotgun, a loaded handgun, and a high-capacity magazine in his possession.
The Riverside County Sheriff's Office conducted the arrest at the intersection of Avenue 52 and Celebration Drive. Sheriff Chad Bianco later clarified that the incident took place before Trump's arrival at the venue.
Deputies became suspicious of Miller due to the disorganized state of his vehicle's interior and the presence of fake license plates associated with "sovereign citizen" groups. Miller reportedly claimed to be a journalist and was found to be carrying multiple fake passports with different names.
Further investigation revealed that Miller's black SUV was unregistered, adding to the list of suspicious circumstances surrounding his presence at the event.
Sheriff Bianco initially made a bold statement to the Southern California News Group, suggesting that the arrest may have prevented a third assassination attempt on the former president. However, he later tempered his remarks during a news conference. Bianco told reporters:
No matter what, it's all going to be speculation about what his intentions were getting there. If you're asking me right now, I probably did have deputies that prevented the third assassination attempt.
The U.S. Department of Justice released a statement addressing the arrest and its potential implications. According to the statement, federal agencies, including the U.S. Secret Service and FBI, are aware of the incident and are conducting an ongoing investigation.
Miller, who is a registered Republican, had previously filed to run for Nevada's state assembly in 2022. Following his arrest, he was booked at the John J. Benoit Detention Center on suspicion of possession of a loaded firearm and possession of a high-capacity magazine.
Records from the Riverside County Inmate Information System indicate that Miller was released from the detention center on Sunday after posting a $5,000 bail. As of the time of reporting, Trump had not publicly commented on the incident.
The arrest at the Coachella rally comes amid a series of high-profile security incidents involving the former president during the current election cycle. In July, Trump was reportedly grazed by a bullet fired by 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, who was subsequently killed by Secret Service agents.
Another incident in September involved 58-year-old Ryan Wesley Routh, who is currently facing gun charges for allegedly attempting to position himself for a clear shot at Trump near a Florida golf course.
The Coachella incident highlights the ongoing security challenges faced by high-profile political figures during campaign events. While authorities successfully intercepted a potentially dangerous individual, questions remain about Miller's intentions and the effectiveness of current security protocols. As the investigation continues, law enforcement agencies will likely reassess and strengthen their approach to ensuring the safety of political candidates and rally attendees.
