The armed rallygoer accused of plotting a possible third assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump is a self-described MAGA supporter and registered Republican who once tried, but failed, to launch a political career in Nevada.
Details about Vem Miller’s background are emerging after the 49-year-old was taken into custody on weapons charges after he was stopped at a security checkpoint at Trump’s Coachella Valley rally Saturday.
Local authorities say they believe they thwarted yet another assassination attempt against the Republican presidential nominee after Miller was allegedly busted with loaded firearms, multiple passports and a fake license plate.
But Miller, who has since been released on $5,000 bail, slammed the accusations as “bulls–t.”
Here’s what we know so far about Miller in the wake of his arrest:
What is his political affiliation?
Miller, who is a Las Vegas resident, is a registered Republican — and proudly calls himself a supporter “all in” on Trump.
“Yes, I’m 100% a Trump supporter,” he told Fox News Digital as he rebutted the claim from authorities that he planned to kill the 45th president.
“This is a man that I deeply admire.”
After his arrest this weekend, local cops accused Miller of being part of a so-called sovereign citizens movement — a far-right collective built on conspiracy theories that say governments have no authority over them.
Miller denied that in interviews, even telling Fox News he doesn’t “think there’s such a thing.”
“Government is an inanimate object, it’s the individuals within government that matter, so no, I’m not a part of any of that,” Miller said.
“They’re saying that I’m part of these right-wing anti-government groups? Why aren’t they naming these groups? Because it doesn’t exist.”
What is his background?
Miller is a film and TV industry professional who has long railed against the US government and mainstream media, according to his LinkedIn profile.
“For 20 years +, I have been working in the media as an investigative journalist, documentary filmmaker, and a content producer … I have seen our rights be taken, while the power of big government grows,” his bio on the work-focused site states.
“I have seen small businesses and the middle class be squashed. I have seen unlawful mandates and politicians acting like dictators. I have also seen how the power of the money flows through politics and a political class that no longer works for We The People.”
In 2022, he created the American Happens Network — with the motto “Rage against the mainstream media” — which plays host to his politically aligned podcast called “Blood Money.”
The podcast focuses on “corruption, controversy and conspiracy — topics the Mainstream media will not touch,” according to its website.
Miller also holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Los Angeles, in English and creative writing, his LinkedIn shows.
His failed political bid
Miller ran as a GOP candidate for state assembly in Nevada in 2022 — but ultimately lost the primary.
At the time, he told the Las Vegas Review-Journal he was running for office because “this country has been taken over by tyranny.”
He had vowed to focus on alleged voter fraud and would work on strengthening voter ID laws and reimplementing paper ballots.
He also told the outlet that he supported increased electric car manufacturing in his state, as well as solar energy.
What happened at the Trump rally?
Miller was stopped by sheriff’s deputies at a security checkpoint outside the rally around 5 p.m. local time Saturday, authorities said.
He had allegedly tried to enter the rally with a phony press pass.
Cops searched his black SUV after realizing the vehicle was unregistered and discovered a cache of fake passports and driver’s licenses, along with a shotgun, a loaded handgun and a high-capacity magazine, officials said.
Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco said in the aftermath that he “truly” believed his department halted an assassination attempt, though he acknowledged it was “speculation.”
“What his frame of mind was, all we can do is speculate,” Bianco said. “If you’re asking me right now, I probably did have deputies that prevented the third assassination attempt.”
Neither the Secret Service nor the FBI has said the incident was a planned assassination attempt.
What was he charged with?
Miller was hit with charges of possession of a loaded firearm and a high-capacity magazine, both misdemeanors.
He was subsequently released on $5,000 bail.
No federal charges have been filed.
What has the suspect said about the allegations?
A “shocked” Miller quickly slammed his arrest, as well as the sheriff’s claim he was plotting to assassinate Trump, as “bulls–t.”
“These accusations are complete bulls–t,” Miller told the Southern California News Group. “I’m an artist, I’m the last person that would cause any violence and harm to anybody.”
Miller, who insisted he was unaware of the different gun laws between Nevada and California, said he was invited to the rally by the head of the Clark County GOP — and was wearing a Trump shirt and hat when he ran into authorities at the checkpoint.
He claimed in an interview with Fox News that he brought in the weapons for personal protection because of death threats he’s received since launching his America Happens Network.
“I always travel around with my firearms in the back of my truck,” he told the outlet, adding that he has “never” shot a gun in his life.
Miller also denied the sheriff’s claim he had a stash of fake passports on him.
“None of those are fake,” he said, adding that he is Armenian and has documents that show his full Armenian name and ones that don’t.