California, United States

Donald Trump, on Saturday (Oct 12) faced what "speculatively" was the third assassination attempt against him in the run-up to the Nov 5 US Presidential election. The alleged would-be assassin was arrested at a security checkpoint near Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump's California rally before he could do anything drastic.

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'Speculation' or more?

The man was found to be in possession of loaded firearms, multiple passports and a fake licence plate and now faces gun charges.

According to jail records, he has been released on a $5,000 bail. Meanwhile, a federal investigation is underway.

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Also read | ‘Third assassination attempt’ on Donald Trump foiled as police arrest armed man near rally site

Talking to the press, Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco said that he believed his department had halted an assassination attempt against Trump, but acknowledged that was "speculation."

"What we do know is he showed up with multiple passports with different names, an unregistered vehicle with a fake license plate and loaded firearms," he said at a news conference on Sunday afternoon. 

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"I truly do believe that we prevented another assassination attempt."

The alleged would-be assassin has been identified as 49-year-old Las Vegas resident Vem Miller.

Trump demands military aircraft for protection

The latest possible attempt on Donald Trump's life comes just a couple of days after the 78-year-old's campaign asked the government to provide increased security, including the use of military aircraft for him. The Trump campaign is also seeking additional secret service protection for him after the earlier two assassination attempts and the revelation that Tehran was seeking revenge against him for the US killing of Qassem Soleimani in January 2020.  

Also read | Kamala Harris goes full Trump, challenges 78-year-old Republican to reveal his health report

According to Politico, given the severity of Trump's threat, the US President has authorized the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees the Secret Service, to address their requests.

"I've told the department to give him every single thing he needs," said Biden.

(With inputs from agencies)