An armed suspect arrested on his way to a Donald Trump rally in Coachella, California, has denied accusations that he intended to assassinate the former president, calling the claims “complete bullsh-t” in an interview on Sunday.
The suspect, Vem Miller, 49, was taken into custody on Saturday near the Coachella Valley rally after being stopped at a police checkpoint, where authorities discovered firearms and ammunition in his vehicle.
Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco suggested that Miller had been planning an assassination attempt, stating, “I probably did have deputies that prevented the third assassination attempt.”
🚨 SHERIFF ON TRUMP RALLY ARREST: “I probably did have deputies that did prevent the third assassination attempt.”
“If we are that politically lost – that we have lost sight of common sense, and reality, and reason – that we can’t say, ‘holy crap, why did he show up with all… pic.twitter.com/GL4YjlW4yG
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) October 13, 2024
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However, Miller strongly denied the allegations in an interview with Southern California News Group, insisting that he is a Trump supporter and had no intention of harming anyone.
“These accusations are complete bullsh-t,” Miller said. “I’m an artist, I’m the last person that would cause any violence and harm to anybody.” – Vem Miller
Miller, who is a registered Republican and previously ran unsuccessfully for office in Nevada in 2022, explained that he had been invited to the rally by the head of the Clark County GOP Party and was wearing a Trump shirt and hat when he was stopped by deputies.
He admitted to having a shotgun and a loaded handgun in his vehicle, which he said were purchased in 2022 for personal protection.
According to Miller, he informed officers about the firearms as a courtesy when he was pulled over, but claimed his car was “ransacked” after the deputies decided to check the legality of the guns.
The suspect also denied reports that he had used a fake press pass to enter the rally, saying instead that he had a “special entry pass” to the event.
Sheriff Bianco had earlier alleged that Miller had fake press credentials, along with fake passports, driver’s licenses, and a fake license plate on his unregistered vehicle. Miller rejected these accusations as well.
Despite the sheriff’s suspicions, federal authorities, including the FBI and Secret Service, have downplayed the likelihood that Miller was attempting to assassinate Trump.
According to sources cited by The Post, the Secret Service and FBI are not investigating the case as an assassination attempt, and federal charges have not been filed.
Miller was charged with weapons violations for illegally possessing firearms in California and was released after posting $5,000 bail.
The Secret Service also emphasized that former President Trump was never in danger during the rally.
In a joint statement, the FBI and Secret Service said, “The US Secret Service assesses that the incident did not impact protective operations and former President Trump was not in any danger.”
NEW: Sources close to the Trump campaign tell @FoxNews there was no assassination attempt against Trump at his Coachella, CA rally yesterday. We’re told a man with a gun was arrested at the perimeter of the event without incident.
— Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) October 13, 2024
The agencies also confirmed that no federal arrests had been made, but the investigation is ongoing.
Sheriff Bianco, however, stood by his assertion that Miller’s actions were suspicious, stating, “If we are that politically lost that we have lost sight of common sense and reality and reason that we can’t say that ‘Holy crap, what did he show up with all of that stuff for and loaded guns?’… we have a serious, serious problem in this country.”
Miller’s arrest comes after two confirmed assassination attempts targeting Trump earlier this year. In July, gunman Thomas Crooks shot at Trump during a rally in Pennsylvania, striking him in the ear.
In September, Ryan Routh was accused of trying to kill the former president when he was found hiding near the perimeter of Trump’s golf course in Florida, armed with a gun.
Miller remains under investigation, and authorities have not ruled out the possibility of additional charges as they continue to examine the circumstances surrounding his arrest.
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The police would have to know the accusations were false, or he would not have been released.