An armed man was arrested near a Donald Trump rally in California on Saturday, with the intention to kill the former president, according to police reports. The suspect, identified as Vem Miller, was stopped by authorities at a checkpoint just before the rally began. Police believe they may have prevented another assassination attempt on Trump.
Miller was found in possession of a loaded shotgun, handgun, and high-capacity magazine. He is thought to be associated with a right-wing anti-government group and identifies as a sovereign citizen. Despite holding a master’s degree from UCLA and running for political office in Nevada in 2022, Miller’s extremist views and actions raised suspicions among security personnel at the rally.
Although Miller was booked for possessing weapons and released on bail, the incident did not impact Trump’s safety or that of the rally attendees. This arrest comes after previous attempts on Trump’s life, including a bullet grazing his ear during a rally in July and the discovery of a man with a rifle near his Palm Beach golf course in September.
While Sheriff Bianco expressed surprise at the attempted attack in Riverside county, he commended the efforts of law enforcement in protecting Trump and the rally participants. The Secret Service confirmed awareness of the situation and praised the local deputies for their vigilance.
In addition to Miller’s arrest, another man is being questioned by the FBI after bomb-detecting dogs indicated he might pose a threat. This individual was not permitted to enter the rally premises for safety reasons.
Miller is set to appear in court on January 2, 2025, as indicated by the Riverside county sheriff’s department. The FBI and local authorities continue to investigate the incident to ensure the safety of future events and public figures.
