The person arrested close to former President Trump’s Coachella rally over the weekend sued the Riverside County sheriff for defamation and different claims, saying he made “preposterous allegations” concerning the incident presumably being an assassination try.
Vem Miller, 49, was charged with misdemeanors of possessing a loaded firearm and large-capacity journal after authorities searched his black SUV close to the rally. Riverside County Sherriff Chad Bianco later stated his officers “probably” prevented a 3rd try on Trump’s life.
Miller, a Republican who beforehand ran for Nevada’s state meeting, stated he served as a precinct captain for Trump in the course of the state’s main this yr and was by no means planning to hurt the previous president.
“It became clear that Bianco, intentionally, maliciously and with a blatant disregard for the truth, wanted to create a narrative so as to be viewed as a ‘heroic’ Sheriff who saved Presidential candidate Trump from a third assassination attempt,” the grievance states.
The lawsuit, which was filed in federal court docket in Nevada, alleges defamation, intentional infliction of emotional misery, varied constitutional violations and different claims. It asks for unspecified damages and the firing of the officer who searched Miller’s automobile, which he stated violated his 4th Modification protections in opposition to unreasonable searches and seizures. Miller additionally stated his firearm and journal have been lawfully bought.
The Hill has reached out to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Workplace for remark.
Trump’s Coachella rally got here amid intense scrutiny of his safety following two latest makes an attempt on his life: First, at a July rally in Butler, Pa., and one other final month on the former president’s golf course in West Palm Seaside, Fla.
At a Sunday press convention, the sheriff famous safety was “not something that we were taking lightly” in gentle of latest threats.
“For those who’re asking me proper now, I in all probability did have deputies that prevented the third assassination try,” Bianco stated.
Federal officers stated the incident did “not impact protective operations” and Trump was “not in any danger.”
Tuesday’s lawsuit got here after Miller publicly threatened to take authorized motion in opposition to the sheriff throughout an interview on NewsNation’s “Dan Abrams Live.” NewsNation is owned by Nexstar Media Group, which additionally owns The Hill.
“Oh yeah, the sheriff’s office is lying and they’re about to get hit with a lawsuit,” Miller stated within the interview. “The sheriff is going to be investigated, he’s going to lose his position, the deputy sheriff that was a part of this is going to be investigated, he’s going to lose his position, there’s going to be a massive lawsuit.”
