The armed suspect arrested on his way to Donald Trump’s rally in California denied allegations that he intended to harm the former president.
Vem Miller, 49, rejected claims by Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, who stated that Miller posed a threat to Trump and that his deputies may have prevented an assassination attempt.
Miller called these accusations “nonsense” and maintained that he is a Trump supporter.
Miller was stopped at a checkpoint near the Coachella Valley rally on Saturday, where deputies discovered a shotgun, a loaded handgun, and ammunition in his vehicle.
Bianco believes the arrest thwarted a serious threat against Trump, but Miller told the Southern California News Group that he was “shocked” by the charges and insisted he meant no harm.
“I’m an artist, not someone who would cause violence,” he said.
Reports suggest Miller is associated with a far-right anti-government group, though he denies these claims. He said he was invited to the rally by a leader of the Clark County GOP Party and was wearing Trump-themed clothing at the time.
He explained that he informed deputies about the weapons in his trunk as a courtesy and that the guns were for personal protection, having been purchased legally in 2022.
Miller, a registered Republican and former candidate for office in Nevada, also disputed the claim that he showed a fake press pass to gain entry to the rally.
He said he used a “special entry pass” instead, though deputies allegedly found fake passports and driver’s licenses in his possession. His vehicle was also reportedly unregistered and carried a fake license plate.
Miller stated that he was not told why he was being detained initially and was allowed to contact a lawyer only after being held for several hours. He was then questioned by FBI and Secret Service agents, though the interview was canceled, according to Miller.
He was later charged with illegal possession of firearms and released on $5,000 bail. He claims he was unaware of California’s stricter gun laws compared to Nevada, his home state.
Sources indicate that federal authorities, including the Secret Service, do not believe Miller was planning an attack on Trump.
The FBI has not labeled the incident as an assassination attempt, and the Secret Service released a statement assuring that Trump was never at risk during the rally.
“The US Secret Service assesses that the incident did not impact protective operations and former President Trump was not in any danger,” the agency said.
Sheriff Bianco, however, argued that the circumstances and Miller’s actions suggested otherwise. He expressed concern about the political climate and criticized those who might downplay the seriousness of the situation.
“If common sense doesn’t apply here, we have a serious problem in this country,” he said. Bianco also alleged that Miller claimed to have VIP access to the event but could not provide adequate documentation.
Bianco further suggested that Miller might be associated with the “sovereign citizens” movement, which rejects government authority and laws, though Miller denied any involvement.
The sheriff’s office maintains that Miller’s behavior and possession of firearms at the rally raised significant concerns.
As the investigation continues, Miller may face additional federal charges. The FBI and Secret Service have not ruled out further action, though no federal arrest has been made at this time.
Authorities are still examining the evidence, but as of now, Miller is not under suspicion of attempting to assassinate Trump.
