Who is Vem Miller? Las Vegas man arrested with loaded guns near Trump's Coachella rally

A Las Vegas man was arrested with loaded firearms and false identification at a checkpoint near a Donald Trump rally in Southern California on Saturday. The man, identified as 49-year-old Vem Miller, was stopped by law enforcement about a mile from the rally in the Coachella Valley. Deputies found Miller carrying a shotgun, a loaded handgun, and a high-capacity magazine, local authorities confirmed.

Miller’s arrest came as he attempted to enter the rally with fake passes, including a phony press card. Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco stated, “We probably stopped another assassination attempt,” adding that Trump was never in any danger. Trump was speaking behind bulletproof glass at the event, which follows two prior assassination attempts targeting the former president.

The US Secret Service, FBI, and the U.S. attorney’s office have acknowledged the arrest but emphasized in a joint statement that the incident did not impact protective operations.

Who is Vem Miller?

• Miller is a registered Republican who ran for the Nevada state assembly in 2022 but lost in the primary.
• He holds a master’s degree from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).
• Miller is a film and TV industry professional and hosts the podcast “Blood Money” on the American Happens Network, which he founded. The podcast focuses on corruption and conspiracy theories.
• Sheriff Bianco indicated that Miller associates with the far-right "sovereign citizen" movement, which rejects government authority.
• Miller was charged with possession of a loaded firearm and high-capacity magazine. He was released on $5,000 bail.