The armed rally-goer accused of plotting a possible third assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump is a self-described MAGA supporter who once tried to launch a political career in Nevada. He is a failed registered Republican.
Details about Bem Miller’s background have emerged after the 49-year-old was taken into custody on weapons charges after being stopped at a security checkpoint at President Trump’s Coachella Valley rally on Saturday.
Local authorities say they believe they thwarted another assassination attempt on the Republican presidential candidate after Miller was allegedly arrested with a loaded firearm, multiple passports and fake license plates.
But Miller, who has since been released on $5,000 bail, denounced the accusations as “bloomers.”
Here’s what we know so far since Miller’s arrest.
What is his political affiliation?
Mr. Miller, who lives in Las Vegas, is a registered Republican and proudly calls himself an “all-in” supporter of Mr. Trump.
“Yes, I’m 100% a Trump supporter,” he told Fox News Digital, refuting authorities’ claims that he was plotting to kill the 45th president.
“This is someone I really respect.”
After this weekend’s arrest, local police accused Miller of being part of the so-called Sovereign Citizens Movement. The movement is a far-right group built on conspiracy theories that the government has no authority.
Miller denied that in an interview, telling Fox News, “I don’t think that’s the case.”
“Government is an inanimate object, and it’s the individuals within government that matter, so no, I’m not involved in any of that,” Miller said.
“They say I’m part of a right-wing rebel group? Why don’t they name these groups? Because they don’t exist.”
What is his background?
Miller is a film and television industry expert who has long been a vocal critic of the U.S. government and mainstream media, according to his LinkedIn profile.
“For more than 20 years, I have worked in the media as an investigative journalist, documentary filmmaker, and content producer…I have seen our rights stripped away as the power of big government grows.” talks about his work-centered career. Site status.
“I have seen small businesses and the middle class destroyed. I have seen illegal orders and politicians act like dictators. I have also seen the power of money I saw how it flows through politics and a political class that no longer works for our people.”
In 2022, he founded the American Happens Network with the motto “Rage at Mainstream Media” and hosts the politically aligned podcast “Blood Money.”
According to the podcast’s website, the podcast focuses on “corruption, controversy, and conspiracy — subjects that mainstream media doesn’t touch.”
According to LinkedIn, Miller also holds a bachelor’s degree in English and creative writing from the University of California, Los Angeles.
his political bid failed
Miller ran as a Republican candidate for the 2022 Nevada State Assembly election, but ultimately lost in the primary.
At the time, he told the Las Vegas Review-Journal that he was running because “this country has been taken over by tyranny.”
He has vowed to focus on allegations of voter fraud, strengthen voter ID laws and reintroduce paper ballots.
He also told the outlet that he supports increasing the manufacturing of electric vehicles in the state, as well as solar energy.
What happened at the Trump rally?
Authorities said Miller was stopped by sheriff’s deputies at a security checkpoint outside the rally around 5 p.m. local time Saturday.
He allegedly tried to attend the rally using a fake press pass.
Police said they searched his black SUV after realizing the vehicle was unregistered and found a stash 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 later acknowledged it was “speculative,” but said he “truly” believed his department had thwarted the assassination plot.
“All we can do is speculate as to what his state of mind was,” Bianco said. “From what I can tell now, there was probably an agent who thwarted the third assassination attempt.”
Neither the Secret Service nor the FBI have said the incident was a planned assassination attempt.
What was he charged with?
Mr. Miller was charged with possession of a loaded firearm and possession of a high-capacity magazine, both misdemeanors.
He was later released on $5,000 bail.
No federal charges have been filed.
What does the suspect say about the charges?
A “shocked” Miller quickly denounced the sheriff’s claims that he was plotting to arrest him and assassinate Trump as “bullshit.”
“These accusations are utter nonsense,” Miller told the Southern California News Group. “I’m an artist. I would never commit violence or harm to anyone.”
Miller, who claimed he didn’t know that Nevada and California had different gun laws, said he was invited to a rally by the Clark County Republican Party chairman and was wearing a Trump shirt and hat when he was encountered by authorities at a checkpoint. spoke.
In an interview with Fox News, he claimed he brought the weapon for personal protection because he had received death threats since starting the American Happens Network.
“I always travel with firearms in the back of my truck,” he told the outlet, adding that he had “never” fired a gun in his life.
Mr Miller also denied the sheriff’s claim that he was carrying a false passport.
“None of them are fake,” he said, adding that he is Armenian and has documents that show his full Armenian name and documents that do not.
