Sheriff Claims Deputies Thwarted Third Assassination Attempt Against Trump
Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco has claimed that his deputies likely prevented a third assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump during a campaign rally in Coachella, California, over the weekend, Al Jazeera reports.
The alleged attempt was thwarted on Saturday when deputies stopped a man, identified as 49-year-old Nevada resident Vem Miller, at a security perimeter outside the rally. Miller was found to be in possession of two unregistered firearms and a high-capacity magazine, along with multiple passports under different names, a fake license plate, and an unregistered vehicle.
“If you’re asking me right now, I probably did have deputies that prevented the third assassination attempt,” Sheriff Bianco told reporters on Sunday.
Miller was taken into custody without incident and later released on bail. He faces gun charges and is scheduled to appear in court on January 2, 2025.
In an interview with Southern California News Group, Miller denied any intent to harm Trump, claiming he is a supporter of the former president.
However, the US Attorney’s Office, while saying that the incident did not impact protective operations and Trump was not in danger, has confirmed an ongoing investigation.
This incident comes just weeks after a man was charged with attempting to assassinate Trump at his Florida golf course in late September. Prosecutors accuse Ryan Routh of intending to kill the former president on September 15th. Routh has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
In July, Trump was shot in the ear during a campaign rally in Pennsylvania. The incident prompted criticism and questions about security protocols. Last month, the US Secret Service acknowledged failures in security planning and coordination during the Pennsylvania event.
The recent arrest in California, coupled with the previous incidents, raises concerns about the security surrounding Trump and highlights the need for enhanced protection measures.
