On Saturday, a Las Vegas man was arrested with a loaded gun at a checkpoint near former President Trump's rally in California.
The Riverside County Sheriff's Department said in a news release Sunday that Trump was not in danger.
Deputies assigned to Trump's Coachella rally stopped the driver of a black SUV, identified as Bem Miller, 49. He was found to be in “illegal possession of a shotgun, a loaded handgun, and a high-capacity magazine,” police said. Until release. The man was arrested without incident and charged with possession of a loaded firearm and possession of a high-capacity magazine, according to the sheriff's office.
Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco told Southern California News Group on Sunday that the arrest may have thwarted another assassination attempt.
The Justice Department said Sunday that the department was “aware of the arrest.”
“The U.S. Secret Service assesses that this incident did not impact protection operations and that former President Trump was not in any danger,” the statement said. The investigation is ongoing and federal charges have not yet been filed.
Bianco told the news group that Miller is a member of a right-wing anti-government group, according to . The Press Enterprise reports.
But Miller told reporters he was a Trump supporter and had been invited to the event. He also told officers he had a firearm in his car, but said police then “ransacked” his SUV. He added that the weapons were purchased legally.
Media members and VIP ticket holders passed through numerous intersections manned by state and local law enforcement officers before arriving at a large grassy area where drivers were asked to open the hood or trunk and each vehicle was opened. Searched by security guards. K-9 officer. Other general ticket holders were directed to a venue approximately three miles away from the rally, where they were transported by bus to the venue.
The Hill has reached out to the Secret Service for comment.
The Trump campaign did not respond to requests for comment from The Associated Press.
The Associated Press contributed.
Updated at 6:43 p.m.
