Third assassination attempt? Cops arrest man allegedly carrying 2 loaded guns, fake press pass near Trump's Calif. rally
Local law enforcement in Riverside County, California, believe they may have thwarted a third assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump on Saturday after deputies arrested a man who was reportedly armed and carrying multiple fake passes near Trump's campaign rally in Coachella.
To secure the rally in Coachella, officers established a double perimeter for the area within a half-mile radius of the event. Those who lived in the area had to pass through checkpoints before they could return home. Officers ensured these residents did not venture toward the rally, the Los Angeles Daily News reported.
'It’s not going to happen in Riverside County. We don’t have the same sicko issues and violent protests like they have in Los Angeles. We’re better than that.'
At around 5 p.m., officers arrested Vem Miller at the checkpoint at the intersection of Avenue 52 and Celebration Drive within that secured double perimeter.
According to reports, Miller — a 49-year-old Las Vegas man described as a right-leaning, anti-government extremist — pulled up in a black SUV. In his possession were a loaded shotgun and handgun as well as a high-capacity magazine, cops said.
Miller also reportedly had several phony rally passes, including a fake press pass and VIP passes. "They were different enough to cause the deputies alarm," Sheriff Chad Bianco said of the passes on Sunday.
"We probably stopped another assassination attempt," he added, according to the L.A. Daily News.
"I thought, 'It’s not going to happen in Riverside County. We don’t have the same sicko issues and violent protests like they have in Los Angeles. We’re better than that.' Go figure."
Miller was hauled off to the John J. Benoit Detention Center on suspicion of possession of a loaded firearm and possession of a high-capacity magazine. He was released on Sunday after posting $5,000 bail, KTLA reported.
He isn't scheduled to appear again in court regarding this alleged offense until January 2, 2025.
Miller, who lost the 2022 Republican primary race to represent the 13th District in the Nevada state Assembly, is reportedly a registered Republican. He also reportedly earned a master's degree from UCLA.
Another man near the Coachella rally was also questioned by the FBI after bomb-sniffing dogs allegedly "repeatedly" identified him as possibly dangerous, Sheriff Bianco said, according to the L.A. Daily News. The man was not permitted to enter the rally, the sheriff added, though whether the man was ever arrested or detained is unclear.
Despite these possible threats, the Trump campaign is apparently attempting to downplay the severity of the danger in Coachella. Bill Melugin of Fox News tweeted on Sunday afternoon: "Sources close to the Trump campaign tell @FoxNews there was no assassination attempt against Trump at his Coachella, CA rally yesterday. We’re told a man with a gun was arrested at the perimeter of the event without incident."
Some on social media are likewise skeptical.
The Secret Service issued a statement on Sunday: "The incident did not impact protective operations. The Secret Service extends its gratitude to the deputies and local partners who assisted in safeguarding last night’s events."
This is a developing story. Be sure to check back with Blaze News for updates.
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Barstool Sports' Bill Cotter running for Congress in former George Santos district — says New York 'getting out of control'
Barstool Sports commentator and Queens native Bill Cotter is running for congressional office in New York's third district as a Republican.
Cotter, aka Billy Football, will attempt to unseat Tom Suozzi in NY-03, the wealthiest district in the state. The seat was of course vacated by Republican George Santos when he was expelled from the House of Representatives. Santos has planned to run again in NY-01.
Cotter is running on a strong conservative platform as a Catholic and resident of the area. His target issues reflect that of many modern MAGA enthusiasts but also topics that have bipartisan appeal.
"What happened to the American dream? What happened to feeling good about not only this country but state?" Cotter told Newsmax.
"You would never allow your kid to take the public transport nowadays, with all the crime that's happening. There's shootings. There's stabbings. There's people running around New York City just randomly punching people in the face on their phones. It's terrible. The situation is getting out of control."
The 25-year-old also noted that the city has not properly supported the police, which is included on his platform along with supporting the Second Amendment.
"What part of 'shall not be infringed' is so hard to understand?" his website read. Other platform points have included preventing insider trading, ending the opioid crisis, and holding "Big Pharma" accountable.
Along with requiring voter identification and securing the border, Cotter is surely to win some hearts and minds with his sentiments on affordable housing.
Cotter explained that even some of his richest friends cannot see themselves buying a house in the next few years.
"There's a housing crisis in this country. If you ask anyone in my generation, 'Hey, do you think you can buy a house in the next five years?' none of them even have a chance of saying, 'Yes,'" he told Fox News' Martha MacCallum. "Inflation's robbing our savings, the value of a dollar is going down and wages aren't increasing, and we're stuck in a situation as younger members of the population where we don't see the American dream," he continued.
"I want to restore that confidence and that belief in the American dream."
While the Fox News host questioned whether Cotter had acquired and submitted the necessary number of signatures, Cotter's team has since confirmed via social media that he is indeed on the list for a June 25, 2024, Republican primary.
When asked if he would be receiving support from Barstool Sports owner Dave Portnoy, Cotter said that he would "have to earn" his vote just like everyone else's.
When asked if he was a Trump supporter, Cotter flipped the question and said that he would have to be an "idiot" to reject support at the grassroots level from the 45th president.
Voting in the third district of New York has historically been tight. No candidate has won by more than 59% of the vote since Peter King dominated the district for 20 years from 1993-2013.
The last Republican candidate for the district was Mazi Melesa Pilip, who lost to Suozzi by less than 14,000 votes in February 2024.
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