Armed man arrested near Trump rally in California
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The suspect, identified as Las Vegas resident Vem Miller, has been apprehended by authorities about half a mile from the entrance to the Coachella rally.
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Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally at the Calhoun Ranch, on Saturday, October 12, 2024, in California. (AP)
A man armed with guns, counterfeit press, and VIP passes was arrested by authorities at a campaign rally in California held by Donald Trump on Saturday.
The suspect, identified as Vem Miller, a resident of Las Vegas, was intercepted by the police at a checkpoint about half a mile from the entrance to the Coachella Valley rally shortly before it began, according to police reports on Sunday.
Authorities reported that Miller was carrying a loaded shotgun, a handgun, and a high-capacity magazine. He is believed to be affiliated with a right-wing anti-government organization.
Miller was booked for possessing a loaded firearm and a high-capacity magazine and was released after posting a $5,000 bail, according to police records.
“The incident did not impact the safety of former president Trump or attendees of the event,” the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office stated in a press release.
The Secret Service issued a statement confirming it was informed of the arrest; “The incident did not impact protective operations. The Secret Service extends its gratitude to the deputies and local partners who assisted in safeguarding last night’s events.”
The US Attorney’s Office in Los Angeles also stated on Sunday that Trump was not in danger, citing the US Secret Service. They added that while no federal arrests had been made, an investigation is ongoing.
Sheriff Chad Bianco expressed his belief at a press conference on Sunday that Miller was plotting to kill Trump but acknowledged that this was "speculation". “What we do know is he showed up with multiple passports with different names, an unregistered vehicle with a fake license plate, and loaded firearms,” Bianco stated during a news conference on Sunday afternoon.
Miller later told US media that he is a Trump supporter who purchased the guns for his own safety and informed police at the checkpoint that they were in the trunk of his car. “These accusations are complete bullshit,” he said. “I’m an artist; I’m the last person that would cause any violence and harm to anybody.”
He expressed surprise at his arrest, stating he had been detained for about eight hours.
Miller holds a Master’s Degree from UCLA and ran for the Nevada State Assembly in 2022. Bianco noted that Miller identifies as a so-called sovereign citizen, a group of individuals who do not believe they are subject to government laws unless they consent to them.
Bianco explained that Miller’s identification raised suspicions with local rally security; “They were different enough to cause the deputies alarm,” he said, according to the Riverside Press-Enterprise.
Trump narrowly escaped an assassination attempt in July when a bullet grazed his ear during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. In September, another man was charged with attempting to assassinate Trump after Secret Service agents found him hiding with a rifle near Trump’s golf course in Palm Beach. He has since pleaded not guilty.
Bianco reported that US Secret Service officials praised his department for going “above and beyond” in their efforts to protect Trump and rally attendees.
Additionally, Bianco mentioned that the FBI is questioning another man after bomb-detecting dogs “repeatedly” indicated he might be dangerous. This man was not allowed into the rally, Bianco confirmed.
Miller is scheduled to appear at the Indio Larson Justice Center on January 2, 2025, according to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department inmate database.
Harris' lead shrinks against Trump, sparking concerns among Democrats
In a different context, Kamala Harris is reportedly "losing ground to Donald Trump" as the US presidential election approaches, with less than a month remaining, according to several polls.
The most recent ABC News/Ipsos poll indicates that Harris holds a slim lead with 50% of likely voters compared to Trump’s 48%, a decrease from her 52% to 46% advantage last month.
Likewise, a CBS News/YouGov poll shows Harris leading by only 51% to 48%, down from a four-point lead the previous month.
As a result, Harris’ overall lead in Real Clear Politics' average of major surveys has fallen to 1.4 percent, down from 2.2 percent just on Saturday.
This shrinking margin has raised concerns among Democrats, who fear that Harris is having difficulty retaining strong support from key demographics, particularly Hispanics and African Americans.
