Police issue major update after suspected third Donald Trump assassination foiled

Police have issued a major update on the arrest of a man who they allege could have carried out a third attempt on 's life.

Vem Miller, 49, was arrested in Coachella, , today after he was stopped by Secret Service agents at a junction checkpoint in the town. Miller had allegedly tried to gain entry to the campaign event using a fake VIP ticket and press pass, with agents carrying out a search finding he was in possession of multiple firearms.

In a press conference this afternoon, local police providing an update on the arrest clarified that the incident took place on Saturday, and added the man has been since released on bail after being taken into custody. Speaking to the press, Riverside County sheriff Chad Bianco said Miller was arrested ahead of the former president's arrival in Coachella.

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He said the department had a "very detailed plan" in place, with deputies monitoring larger outside and inside perimeters around the location of the event. Sheriff Bianco said his deputies became suspicious when Miller approached the perimeter.

He "gave all the indications that he belonged there" when he arrived, but the sheriff added that, when he arrived, there were "many irregularities that popped up", with officers noticing the "interior of the vehicle was in disarray" and that it "had an obviously fake licence plate". Bianco continued, saying the man was also in possession of multiple passports and driving licences.

He added that Miller was booked on charges of possessing loaded weapons and ammunition before former president Trump arrived. The sheriff's department is now working with the FBI and Secret Service - which is responsible for protecting former and current presidents and candidates - to establish further details about the incident.

While taking questions, Mr Bianco - who had earlier said he believed his department had "probably" averted a potential third Trump assassination attempt - was asked whether he had reacted dramatically to the incident. In response, he suggested he had acted with "common sense and reason".

He said in response: "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, what did he show up with all that stuff for and loaded guns', and I'm going to be accused of being dramatic, we have a serious problem in this country because this is common sense and reason."