Armed man arrested near Trump rally in California

A man carrying firearms and fake credentials was arrested near a Donald Trump campaign event in California on Saturday, authorities said.

Police intercepted Vem Miller, a Las Vegas resident, at a checkpoint about 800 metres from the rally entrance in Coachella Valley shortly before the event began. Miller was found in possession of a loaded shotgun, handgun and high-capacity magazine, according to police statements on Sunday.

Authorities believe Miller may be affiliated with a right-wing anti-government group. He was charged with possessing a loaded firearm and a high-capacity magazine before being released on £4,000 bail.

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement: “The incident did not impact the safety of former president Trump or attendees of the event.”

The US Secret Service and the US Attorney’s Los Angeles office both confirmed that Trump was not in danger during the incident.

Sheriff Chad Bianco speculated at a press conference that Miller might have been planning to harm Trump, but acknowledged this was conjecture. “What we do know is he showed up with multiple passports with different names, an unregistered vehicle with a fake licence plate and loaded firearms,” Bianco said.

Miller, who ran for Nevada state assembly in 2022, denied any malicious intent in comments to US media. He claimed to be a Trump supporter who had purchased the weapons for self-defence and had informed police at the checkpoint about the firearms in his car boot.

The suspect is scheduled to appear in court on 2 January 2025.