US police arrested an armed man with a gun and fake documents at former President Donald Trump’s campaign rally in Coachella, California.
The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office identified the suspect as Vem Miller, 49, of Las Vegas. Miller was stopped by police driving a black SUV near the entrance to the campaign event. He was then taken to a local detention center and charged with possession of a loaded firearm and a large capacity magazine. Miller is currently out on $5,000 bail and is scheduled for a court appearance on January 2, 2025.
Meanwhile, the US Secret Service said it was aware of the arrest and confirmed that neither Mr. Trump nor those attending the rally were in danger. The investigation is still ongoing.
The incident comes amid growing concerns about political violence in the United States. Former President Trump was targeted by suspect Thomas Matthew Crook while campaigning in Butler on July 3, injuring him in the ear. Crooks was later shot by a US Secret Service sniper team , but the fact that the gunman was able to fire multiple shots at Mr. Trump before being discovered has raised questions about the security procedures for presidential candidates. On September 15, the former president was once again the target of another attack plot while playing golf in West Palm Beach, Florida. Fortunately, this time, the US Secret Service quickly detected the gunman and stopped him in time.
Over the weekend, Mr. Trump requested protection by helicopters and military vehicles during the final weeks of the campaign.