Audio recording from arrest of “would-be Trump assassin” released in defamation case

An audio recording of the arrest of a man labeled a “would-be Trump assassin” by Riverside Sheriff Chad Bianco has been released.

Riverside Sheriff’s Deputies arrested Vem Miller on Oct. 12, 2024, after he attempted to attend President Donald Trump’s Coachella rally with a loaded handgun and a shotgun in the trunk of his vehicle. The next day, Bianco publicized the arrest, texting Epoch News that Miller said he was going to kill Trump, and hosting a news conference in which he said, “I probably did have deputies that prevented the third assassination attempt.”

Miller brought suit against Bianco for unlawful detention, first amendment violations, libel and slander. 

Miller took an audio recording of his arrest, which he shared with opposing counsel. A link to the file was posted Oct. 10, in the defense team’s motion to dismiss the case. The three and a half hour audio file begins when Miller began talking at a checkpoint.

Miller: How are you doing sir? Hi.