A man from Las Vegas, who was taken into custody Saturday at a political rally for Donald Trump in California, posted a video online on Monday. In the video, he denounced the accusations from a local law enforcement officer that suggested he was a threat to assassinate the former president as “false and defamatory,” asserting that he is a dedicated supporter of Trump’s presidential campaign.

“I’m choosing to make this statement because I’ve received numerous calls in just the hour and half after those misleading claims were made by the police in this area,” stated Vem Miller, 49, in the video.

However, Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco defended his statements to YSL News, affirming that he supports the actions taken by his department and would manage the situation similarly if it occurred again.

In the video shared on Rumble, Miller expressed his allegiance to Trump.

“I was a Republican candidate in Nevada in 2022,” Miller noted. “I’ve been a participant in the Nevada Republican Party since 2000. I serve as a Trump caucus captain, help gather votes for Donald Trump, and lead a Trump team.”

Basing his attendance decision on this support, Miller stated he went to the Trump rally at Calhoun Ranch in Riverside County, near Coachella, “after receiving a special invite from members of the Nevada Republican Party.”

Officials from the Nevada Republican Party did not respond to YSL News’s inquiries regarding Miller’s claim of an affiliation with the state party and his invitation to the rally. An official from the Clark County Republican Party also refrained from commenting.

In a phone interview Monday night, Bianco remarked that the deputy who interacted with Miller acted appropriately. He indicated that Miller exhibited several warning signs and ultimately arrived at a political event with weapons for a candidate who has previously faced assassination attempts.

“He’s merely trying to protect his image, making entirely untrue statements about the situation,” Bianco said regarding Miller’s remarks. “There is nothing different we could have done.”

Miller mentioned he was directed to a special entrance for parking upon his arrival. However, before entering the parking area, he alerted officers at the checkpoint that he had two guns in the trunk of his car—a Glock handgun and a shotgun. He claimed he carried them “solely for protection.”

Authorities reported that Miller was arrested at the vehicle checkpoint for unlawfully possessing a shotgun, a loaded handgun, and a high-capacity magazine. In addition, he was found with multiple suspected fake passports featuring different names, and was driving an unregistered vehicle with a makeshift license plate, a practice associated with far-right anti-government groups.

He was booked into the John J. Benoit Detention Center in Indio, California, on misdemeanor charges and was released without needing to pay bail, as confirmed by Bianco. The Secret Service stated he does not face any federal charges.

“The U.S. Secret Service has determined that the incident did not affect protective measures, and former President Trump was not in danger,” the Secret Service, along with the FBI and U.S. attorney’s office, stated together. “Although no federal arrests have been made yet, the investigation is ongoing.”

Averting ‘the third assassinating attempt’

Bianco, a firm Trump supporter, suggested on Sunday that Miller might have had intentions to assassinate the former president.

“If you ask me now, I’d say my deputies might have stopped a third assassination attempt,” said Bianco, who endorsed Trump’s candidacy this summer.

In July, the Secret Service faced criticism for allowing a 20-year-old gunman to position himself on a nearby rooftop and fire several shots at a Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Trump sustained an ear injury, while one attendee was killed and two others injured before the gunman, Thomas Matthew Crooks, was shot and killed by a Secret Service sharpshooter.

A month prior, federal authorities thwarted what was reportedly a second assassination attempt against Trump in Florida. Ryan Routh, 58, was arrested after allegedly hiding in the bushes with a rifle at a golf course where Trump was playing. He has entered a not guilty plea for attempts to assassinate Trump.

Bianco has been mentioned since April as a potential candidate for the gubernatorial race in California for 2026.

The latest incident took place during a rally on Saturday evening.

Bianco stated in an email prior to the event, “I will be present as I am tasked with ensuring the safety of the former president and all participants, particularly due to recent threats against his life. Our community should feel confident in their safety while attending the rally.”

Bianco reported that Miller had approached the rally’s border before it commenced, falsely asserting that he had VIP access as a member of the media, which he was not. Deputies noticed several “irregularities,” such as a fraudulent license plate, which led to further investigation, according to Bianco.

An assassination attempt? Not so hasty.

On Monday, Miller announced that he was releasing a lengthy video to counter Bianco’s claims and express his support for Trump.

In his video, Miller threatened legal action against Bianco for his statements. He identified himself as part of a conservative online media organization called the America Happens Network. He has shared multiple photos on his Instagram with Trump associates such as Steve Bannon and Roger Stone.

Miller commented, “Although we are strong supporters of President Donald Trump, we do not associate ourselves with any political party, except one that champions our freedoms, our constitutional rights, our medical liberties, and eliminates the tyranny from corrupt politicians that has beset our nation.”

Miller expressed that he hoped his media company would achieve viral status someday, but added, “I never anticipated that the most sensational news would revolve around myself and the false accusations currently spreading on the internet.”

In a discussion with the Los Angeles Times, Miller stated: “Everything they claimed about me is false, and I can prove it. Sadly, it seems that he has ruined his career.”

Miller informed the Times that his lawyers are preparing a “massive lawsuit” against the county. “At this moment, I can demonstrate that everything said about me is false. This will end badly for them. That sheriff is going to be out of a job.”

Trump acknowledged Bianco during his speech

In his speech on Saturday, Trump praised Bianco while recognizing local officials, stating he “liked him from the very first meeting” and that Bianco “has the most wonderful family I’ve ever seen.”

Trump remarked, “I told the sheriff, ‘You’re fantastic, but your family is even more impressive than you,’” adding that Bianco successfully managed the rally “because he’s tough, intelligent, and proud of his state and country.”