Donald Trump walks onstage for a campaign rally in Coachella, Calif., on Saturday.Mario Tama / Getty Images
Investigation Underway After Man Attempts to Enter Trump Rally with Guns in Vehicle
Federal authorities are investigating an incident involving a man who was arrested on Saturday for trying to enter a campaign rally for former President Donald Trump while armed. The arrest occurred near a checkpoint in Coachella, California, approximately a quarter-mile from the rally venue.
The U.S. Secret Service and the FBI are currently looking into the matter. Martin Estrada, the U.S. Attorney for Central California, stated, “The U.S. Secret Service assesses that the incident did not impact protective operations and former President Trump was not in any danger.” He added that while no federal arrest has been made yet, the investigation is ongoing.
A federal law enforcement official confirmed that there is no evidence suggesting an assassination attempt on Trump.
Details of the Incident
According to Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, the man, identified as Vem Miller, was stopped at around 5 p.m. local time at a security checkpoint. Deputies noticed that his SUV appeared disheveled and had “an obviously fake license plate.” Upon inspection, they discovered two unregistered firearms—a shotgun and a loaded handgun—along with “multiple boxes of ammunition.”
Miller, 49, from the Las Vegas area, claimed to have been invited to the rally by another attendee and stated he was attending as a journalist. However, deputies found several fake identification cards, including passports, with different names in his vehicle.
Charges and Release
Miller was booked on suspicion of carrying a loaded firearm and possession of a large-capacity magazine, both of which are misdemeanors under California law. He was released before midnight, according to inmate records. Sheriff Bianco noted that further inquiries into why Miller attempted to enter the venue with false pretenses would be handled by federal authorities.
A Secret Service official mentioned that agents conducted an “intelligent interview” with Miller, and the incident had no impact on the rally. Notably, Trump was not at the venue at the time of the arrest.
Previous Security Concerns
A Trump campaign official appeared unaware of the incident when first approached for comment, but did not respond after additional information was provided. It’s worth noting that Trump has faced assassination attempts in the past, including incidents in July and September.
Sheriff Bianco stated that Miller made it through an outer perimeter checkpoint, but expressed confidence that he would not have gotten past the inner perimeter, especially with a story that included supposedly receiving permission to attend from a third party. “You don’t get to give away passes to a rally for a former president,” Bianco remarked, emphasizing the stringent security measures in place.
Conclusion
Bianco commended the quick action of deputies, stating, “I was completely confident that there was absolutely nothing going to happen inside that facility.” He also pointed to the fake license plate and lack of vehicle paperwork as potential indicators of Miller’s affiliation with the anti-government sovereign citizens movement.
Miller is scheduled to appear in court regarding the weapons violations case on January 2 in nearby Indio.
Relevant Keywords: Trump rally, Vem Miller, weapons arrest, Secret Service, FBI investigation, Coachella, California, political security.
