A man was arrested on state gun charges near a rally attended by former President Donald Trump in California. The US Secret Service, FBI, and Department of Justice confirmed that Trump was not in any danger during the incident.
The man, identified as 49-year-old Vem Miller of Las Vegas, was found illegally possessing a shotgun, a loaded handgun, and a high-capacity magazine. Authorities discovered irregularities when he attempted to access the rally's perimeter in Coachella, Riverside County.
Miller's vehicle had a fake license plate, was unregistered, and contained multiple driver's licenses and passports with different names. Despite claiming to be a journalist to gain entry, Miller was charged with firearms offenses and released on $5,000 bail.
Miller denied any intention to harm Trump, stating that he reported the guns at the checkpoint and always travels with them. He professed his support for Trump and praised the former president for standing up against tyranny.
While there is no evidence of an assassination attempt, federal officials confirmed an ongoing investigation. The Secret Service, US Attorney’s Office, and FBI expressed gratitude to local partners for ensuring the event's safety.
The Trump campaign acknowledged the arrest and thanked law enforcement for securing the rally site. They are monitoring the situation and gathering more information.
