Vem Miller, labeled a “would-be Trump assassin” by Riverside Sheriff Chad Bianco, refiled his slander and libel case against the sheriff March 10.
Miller claims he was unjustly slandered as an assassin and prevented from attending Coachella’s Oct. 12 rally for Donald Trump for the sole reason of owning firearms.
Miller, a Nevadan Trump supporter, told sheriff’s deputies outside the rally that he had brought firearms with him, but was going to leave them in his car, his complaint says. Miller claims he did this before most political rallies in Nevada.
Following the arrest, Bianco held a press conference in which he named Miller and said that Miller’s intentions were unknown—but that he assumes he was there for an assassination attempt.
“What we do know is he showed up with multiple passports in different names, an unregistered vehicle with fake license plate and loaded firearms. If you’re asking me right now, I probably did have deputies that prevented the third assassination attempt. If we are that politically lost that we have lost sight of common sense and reality and reason, that we can’t say that, holy crap, what did he show up with all of that stuff for, and loaded guns, and I’m going to be accused of being dramatic?” Bianco said.
Bianco also texted a reporter from the Epoch Times that Miller had identified himself as an assassin, the complaint says: “We arrested a man trying to get in the perimeter with two firearms who ended up saying he was going to kill the president.”
Miller’s complaint says that he had passports in different names because his Armenian heritage necessitated name variations for security while traveling abroad.
Bianco’s statements have resulted in the eviction of Miller’s elderly parents, Miller’s current inability to secure housing, and loss of business opportunities, his complaint says.
Miller’s case was originally filed in the District of Nevada. He withdrew it, and the case is now submitted in the Central District of California.
The case claims two violations of First Amendment Rights, violation of his civil rights, slander, libel, false light and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
Ethan Berman of his own firm represents Miller.
Bianco’s attorney has not yet been announced.
Read the complaint here.
Case No. 5:25-cv-00629.
Read our previous coverage:
Gun owner says sheriff defamed him after Trump rally arrest
