Vem Miller was arrested after being found with a loaded handgun and shotgun at Donald Trump’s rally in Coachella on Saturday
The third person to “probably” make an attempt on Donald Trump’s life during this year’s election campaign – according to a police sheriff – has been named and pictured as 49-year-old Vem Miller, a registered Republican and gun rights advocate from Las Vegas. Miller was stopped near the former president’s rally on Saturday with a shotgun and a loaded handgun with a high-capacity magazine.
While Trump insiders tried to minimize the perceived danger, Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco said: “Holy crap, what did he show up with all that stuff for and loaded guns? ” The specifics of Miller’s arrest remain unclear, but it’s known that he claimed to have a VIP pass to Trump’s gathering, which might have placed him just “40 feet” from Trump armed with multiple weapons.
Stopped in a black SUV at a checkpoint close to the Coachella event, Miller was detained on charges including carrying a loaded gun and a high-capacity magazine and was later released on a $5000 bond.
Local sheriffs have identified the individual as Vem Miller, who was found with “multiple” identity cards and passports bearing different names. His unregistered vehicle had to be traced through its VIM number, leading police to label him a sovereign citizen – someone who rejects societal laws and taxes.
Sheriff Chad Bianco said Vem Miller carried multiple passports and loaded guns (Image:Instagram)
Sheriff Bianco noted that the handmade license plate on his vehicle, a common trait among the far-right sovereign citizen group, prompted further investigation. .
Miller’s LinkedIn profile reveals him as a “citizen journalist”, co-founder of the far-right media network “America Happens”, and a gun rights advocate aiming to “stop voter fraud”. He also ran for election in 2022 as an assemblyman in Nevada’s 13th district, reports the Mirror.
However, Sheriff Bianco dismissed questions about his political affiliations during a press conference, stating: “He’s just a lunatic.”
Sheriff Chad Bianco said Vem Miller carried multiple passports and loaded guns (Image:Instagram)
This incident marks the third attempt on Trump’s life during this election cycle, following a near-miss attempt in July and a foiled plot to shoot him on his Florida golf course last month. In this instance, Miller was apprehended well before Trump took to the stage.
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Donald Trump has not commented on the latest assassination attempt. A Secret Service spokesperson commented: “We were contacted as it happened and secret service agents conducted a productive intelligence interview.”
“It had no impact on the event and we are looking into the circumstances and the backgrounds of the individuals.”