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Local police arrested an armed man outside Donald Trump’s Coachella Valley rally on Saturday, with the local sheriff saying this may be the third assassination attempt against the former president.
The suspect, identified as Bem Miller, 49, of Las Vegas, was found in possession of a fake VIP pass to the rally, a fake press pass, and an unregistered vehicle containing ammunition at a checkpoint approximately 400 meters from the rally site. He was arrested for possessing a weapon. A shotgun, a handgun and a high-capacity magazine, according to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office.
Law enforcement sources told the Post that Miller did not have valid identification when he was stopped at the rally’s checkpoint, and police searched his vehicle and removed a weapon. He was arrested after he was discovered.
“We probably thwarted another assassination attempt,” Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco was quoted as saying. riverside press enterprise.
Donald Trump appeared at Coachella on Saturday, and police announced that a third assassination attempt had been thwarted. Jay Calderon/The Desert Sun / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images Vem Miller, 49, was caught at a checkpoint about 400 meters from the rally with a fake VIP pass to the rally and a fake press pass. .
However, law enforcement officials told the Post that the FBI does not believe this was an assassination attempt and that the former president’s life was never in danger.
Miller, a registered Republican who is believed to have far-right leanings, was arrested on charges of possessing a loaded firearm and a high-capacity magazine and was released on $5,000 bail, according to police records.
Riverside County sheriff’s deputies gather outside Coachella during Trump’s rally on Saturday. Taya Gray/Desert Sun/USA TODAY NETWORK (via Imagn Images)
Officials say he has an extensive history of petty troubles with the law and is believed to be a member of the Sovereign People’s Movement, a far-right movement built on conspiracy theories that believe the government has no authority over it. It is said that it will be done.
The FBI calls the group “anti-government extremists” who, although “physically resident in this country,” are “independent or ‘sovereign’ from the United States.” claims.
Miller was arrested for possession of a loaded firearm and a high capacity magazine. He was released on $5,000 bail, according to police records.
In addition to attempting to bypass taxes and the court system, the FBI notes that the sovereign people are particularly opposed to traffic stops, and in 2023, a 25-year-old armed during a Utah traffic stop was arrested. One member refused to comply and was shot. .
Miller holds a master’s degree from UCLA and is running for the Nevada State Assembly in 2022, the paper said.
He also appears to own a California-based CBD company and has espoused conspiracy theories and violently misogynistic rhetoric online.
Reports of the assassination attempt come after a tense summer in which two gunmen were narrowly arrested in an attempt to kill the former president.
In July, 20-year-old gunman Thomas Matthew Crooks opened fire on the former president during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
President Trump speaks at a campaign rally near Coachella, California, Saturday, October 12, 2024. Andy Abeyta/Desert Sun/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Trump was shot in the ear and almost died. One bystander was killed and two rally participants were injured. Mr. Crooks was shot and killed by a Secret Service sniper shortly after firing.
Just over two months later, a would-be gunman hiding in the bushes at President Trump’s West Palm Beach golf club was arrested with an assault rifle — while the former president was next door just 300 yards away. I was playing golf on the hole.
The suspect, Ryan Routh, was discovered at the last moment when Secret Service agents patrolling the presidential next hole spotted the barrel of a weapon sticking out of the bushes. Officers fired shots, but the suspect fled, and Routh was later arrested while fleeing on the highway.
Federal prosecutors say he remained unnoticed in the bushes for about 12 hours, waiting for the opportunity to kill President Trump.
