Vem Miller: Donald Trump's 'third would-be assassin' pictured after rally arrest with multiple firearms

Vem Miller, 49, has been identified as the man arrested with 'multiple' guns near to Donald Trump's campaign rally in Coachella, California, on Saturday

The third person to "probably" make an attempt on Donald Trump's life during this year's election campaign - according to a police sheriff - has been named and pictured as 49-year-old Vem Miller, a registered Republican and gun rights advocate from Las Vegas. Miller was stopped near to the former President's rally on Saturday with a shotgun and a loaded handgun with a high-capacity magazine.

But while figures close to the Trump campaign have been quick to downplay any real threat to the Republican nominee, the local Sheriff's department has said it was "probably" the third attempt made on the former President's life during this campaign. Speaking to the press, Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, after being grilled about Miller's intent, said: "Holy crap, what did he show up with all that stuff for and loaded guns?"

Precise details around how Vem Miller was apprehended are yet to be confirmed, though police in California have indicated that he was arrested while purporting to have a VIP pass for the Trump rally - which could have got him within "40 feet" of the candidate with multiple guns in his possession.

Yet Miller was taken into custody after being stopped at a checkpoint while driving a black SUV near the rally in Coachella, California. Officers booked him on suspicion of possessing a loaded firearm and possessing a high-capacity magazine, before he was released on a $5000 bail.

Local sheriffs confirmed that Vem Miller was the individual's name, but he also had "multiple" identity cards and passports bearing different names in his possession. His vehicle was unregistered and had to be traced through its VIM number, with the police identifying him as a sovereign citizen, someone who believes society's laws and taxes do not apply to them.

Sheriff Bianco said the number plate on his vehicle is believed to have been handmade, a common sign of the far-right-aligned sovereign citizen group. "The vehicle had an obviously fake licence plate, and that prompted further investigation from our deputy into why the person was where... and what he was doing," he said.

On his LinkedIn profile, Vem Miller identifies himself as a "citizen journalist" and co-founder of the far-right media network "America Happens", as well as a gun rights advocate who wants to "stop voter fraud".

Miller also ran for election in 2022, as an assemblyman in Nevada's 13th district, however, Sheriff Bianco was quick to shut down questions about his political allegiances during a press conference, telling reporters: "He's just a lunatic."

This marks the third attempt on Trump's life during this election cycle, with the near-miss attempt in July, and the Secret Service-foiled plot to shoot him on his Florida golf course, last month. In this case, Miller was arrested long before Trump would take to the stage.

Donald Trump's campaign is yet to issue a statement on the incident. A spokesperson for the Secret Service said: "We were contacted as it happened and secret service agents conducted a productive intelligence interview.

"It had no impact on the event and we are looking into the circumstances and the backgrounds of the individuals."