Summary
A man was arrested near a Donald Trump rally in Coachella, California, on October 12, 2024, after being found with loaded firearms and multiple fake IDs, prompting authorities to claim they likely thwarted a third assassination attempt on the former president. Vem Miller, 49, was detained at a security checkpoint, where law enforcement discovered a shotgun, a handgun, and suspicious identification documents in his vehicle.
The incident has raised significant security concerns, especially given that it follows two previous assassination attempts against Trump in 2024. Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco stated that Miller’s actions indicated a potential threat, asserting that his deputies “probably did have” prevented an assassination attempt. Miller, however, denied any malicious intent, claiming he was a Trump supporter attending the rally for personal safety and journalistic purposes. He faces charges related to the illegal possession of firearms, while the investigation continues to clarify the circumstances surrounding his arrest and alleged motives.
Details of the Arrest
- Location and Timing: Miller was arrested at a security perimeter outside the rally just before Trump began speaking.
- Items Found: Authorities discovered a loaded shotgun, a loaded handgun, multiple fake IDs, and a homemade license plate in Miller’s vehicle.
- Miller’s Background: He is a registered Republican and claims to have a history of supporting Trump, stating he attended the rally with a special entry pass.
Response from Authorities
Sheriff Bianco emphasized the importance of the security measures in place, suggesting that the quick action of law enforcement prevented a serious threat. The U.S. Secret Service later confirmed that Trump’s safety was not compromised during the incident.
Miller’s Defense
Miller has publicly refuted the allegations, stating he brought the firearms for personal protection and asserting that the claims made by law enforcement are unfounded. He has threatened legal action against the sheriff’s department, insisting that he was not planning any harm against Trump and was merely attending the rally as a supporter.
Context of Previous Threats
This incident marks the third reported assassination attempt against Trump in a year, following two earlier incidents that involved gunfire and threats. These events highlight the ongoing security challenges faced by the former president during his campaign appearances, raising questions about the effectiveness of current protective measures at public events.
Man arrested at Coachella Trump rally denies assassination plot, threatens to sue sheriff
Oct. 14 / New York Daily News / Offers a clear overview of Miller's denial of intent and his threat to sue the sheriff's department, presenting both sides of the narrative. It effectively contextualizes the arrest within previous attempts against Trump. “ The armed man who was arrested with two loaded guns outside a Trump rally in Coachella, California over the weekend denies he was planning to assassinate the...
What We Know So Far About Man With Loaded Gun Arrested Near Trump’s Coachella Rally
Oct. 14 / Time / Provides a concise summary of the arrest, detailing the items found and Miller's claims. While informative, it could delve deeper into the motivations behind Miller's actions and the political context. “ A 49-year-old Nevada man was arrested at a security checkpoint near former President Donald Trump's Coachella rally on Saturday, Oct. 12, after he was found...
Deputies 'probably' prevented 3rd Trump assassination attempt, California sheriff says
Oct. 14 / Wfla / Critiques the security measures in place at the rally while summarizing the incident. It brings attention to the ongoing investigation but lacks a comprehensive analysis of the broader implications for Trump's safety. “ A man was arrested outside of a campaign rally for former President Donald Trump in Southern California, and multiple guns were illegally in his possession,...
Was There a Third Assassination Attempt on Donald Trump?
Oct. 14 / Hollywood Life / Examines the potential implications of the arrest while summarizing Miller's claims of innocence. It offers a balanced view but lacks a detailed exploration of the ongoing investigation and its significance. “ Did Donald Trump come close to a third assassination attempt? At his recent rally in Southern California, the 78-year-old Republican candidate spoke to...
Oct. 13 / The Mirror Us / Details the specifics of Miller's arrest, including his background and claims of support for Trump. It effectively captures the nuances of the situation but could further explore the implications for security. “ Donald Trump's "would-be assassin" carried multiple forms of ID in different names and claimed to be a journalist before he was arrested before a rally in...
Oct. 13 / The Mirror Us / Explores the arrest with a focus on the suspicious items found in Miller's possession. While it presents a solid narrative, it could enhance its depth by discussing the broader security concerns at rallies. “ Donald Trump's "would-be assassin" carried multiple forms of ID in different names and claimed to be a journalist before he was arrested before a rally in...
US sheriff says ‘probably prevented’ third Trump assassination attempt
Oct. 13 / Al Jazeera / Presents a concise overview of the arrest, highlighting key details about the suspect and the items found. While informative, it could benefit from deeper exploration of Miller's background and motivations. “ Suspect faces firearms charges but denies he tried to harm former US president and Republican candidate. A United States sheriff has said law enforcement...
Trump Coachella rallygoers stranded in dark, miles from their cars after speech, reports say
Oct. 14 / Ocregister / Highlights the chaos experienced by rallygoers post-event, providing a vivid picture of the aftermath. However, it lacks a direct connection to the assassination attempt, making it less relevant to the core topic. “ Some who attended former President Donald Trump ’s rally outside Coachella on Saturday, Oct. 12, needed rides from sheriff’s deputies to get back to their...
Yes, Police Say They Stopped ‘Third Assassination Attempt on Trump’
Oct. 14 / Coming Soon / Presents a straightforward account of Miller's arrest, emphasizing law enforcement's perspective. While informative, it lacks a deeper analysis of the motivations behind Miller's actions or the broader implications. “ Yes, Police Say They Stopped ‘Third Assassination Attempt on Trump’ By The reported on has sparked attention after authorities arrested a man near a Trump...
'Would-be Trump assassin' had 'loaded shotgun' when he was stopped in Coachella
Oct. 13 / Daily Express Us / Focuses on law enforcement's defense of their actions and the potential threat posed by Miller. While it captures the urgency of the situation, it could benefit from more context regarding Miller's claims. “ Deputies in California "probably" did stop a third assassination attempt on Donald Trump , according to the local sheriff who was asked if an earlier account...
Oct. 13 / New York Post / Discusses the history of assassination attempts against Trump, providing necessary context. However, it could enhance its focus on Miller's specific case rather than generalizing the situation. “ US air marshals are so distracted tracking Jan. 6 suspects and other domestic threats that they are not devoting enough resources to policing the thousands...
Trump Blasts Kamala for Saying 'There Is Not a Thing' She Would Do Differently
Oct. 13 / Brietbart / Offers a detailed account of the sheriff's comments regarding the arrest, emphasizing the potential threat to Trump. It effectively contextualizes the incident within a series of assassination attempts. “ Former President Donald Trump criticized Vice President Kamala Harris for saying, “there is not a thing that comes to mind” that she would do differently....
Oct. 3 / Brietbart / Covers the sheriff's comments regarding the incident, emphasizing law enforcement's perspective. However, it could benefit from more details on Miller's background and the implications for Trump's security. “ The Department of Homeland Security’s Office of the Inspector General (OIG) issued a scathing report criticizing agencies within the Biden-Harris...