Former U.S. President Donald Trump campaigned in Waco, Texas, to prepare for his 2024 presidential run ahead of an imminent prosecution indictment.
In Waco, Texas, supporters began to gather on the 25th (local time). Some Trump supporters began congregating inside the complex as soon as the Waco airfield opened two days ago.
Waco is nearing the 30th anniversary of the 1993 genocide that took place next month in the police’s attempted arrest of the Davidic sect. At that time, the roundup operation continued for 51 days with siege, sit-in, and firefight, leading to a major fire disaster in which dozens of people died.
The rally at the end of this week began after Trump incited ‘resistance’ while blaming the prosecution’s bribery investigation against him, so there are concerns about violence and conflict surrounding the first criminal trial of a former president in US history.
Some of Trump’s recent propaganda statements are very similar to when he refused to transfer power after the election of US President Joe Biden on January 6, 2021, inciting supporters to protest and invade the US Capitol.
On the 24th, Trump also posted on his social media account, “What kind of human being would dare to prosecute the next presidential candidate of the Republican Party, who is the former president of the United States and has been the most supported ever. He claims a sin he didn’t even commit… ! You should know that these bogus claims and prosecutions can destroy our entire America and bring death and destruction.”
However, Trump’s presidential campaign headquarters insisted that the time and location of the rally had nothing to do with the 30th anniversary of the Waco incident. He said that the location of the meeting, which is 27 km away from the headquarters of the Faction of David, was chosen because of its proximity to gatherings in four major cities in Texas.
It’s a good spot for large crowds from Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, Austin and San Antonio.
Texas Gov. Dan Patrick also told the crowd that he had chosen the site, calling claims that Trump had chosen the site of the tragedy as “fake news.”
Hundreds of people flocked to the airport hours before Trump’s arrival, and hawkers began selling Trump flags, car stickers and other protest paraphernalia. In the long queue to enter the airport, there were no signs of protesters protesting Trump support.
Alan Kriegel, 56, who voted for Trump in 2016 and 2020, said he and his wife came to Dallas to see Trump in person for the first time in their lives. He said he thought Trump’s words and policies were sometimes overdone, but he grew more supportive two years after leaving the presidency.
“He is being persecuted even though he is not guilty,” he said, adding that the indictment would help him win the 2024 presidential election.
The grand jury in Trump’s silenced bribery case will resume in a New York court on the 27th.
Trump vehemently protested the charges, calling for resistance at the end of last week, saying he was likely to be arrested on the 21st. When that did not happen, the next few days were spent inciting public outrage and resistance, as had been the case with special counsel Müller in the past.
This time, while making a personal attack on Alvin Bragg of the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office in New York, he repeatedly calls for violence and punishment against the black prosecutor by mobilizing all the same racist and barbaric rhetoric as in the past.
On the 24th, the prosecution authorities revealed that a blackmail letter containing explosives and other substances was delivered in the mail of Prosecutor Bragg. After investigation, it was determined that the ingredients in it were not hazardous substances.
Democrats accused Trump of inciting public resistance to violence even before he delivered the blackmail letter to Prosecutor Bragg. New York State House Speaker Hakeem Jeffries (Democratic Party) said, “Following Trump’s irresponsible and dangerous inflammatory speeches, which were on the verge of impeachment twice, he continues to incite people to kill.”
In addition to Manhattan, Trump is also under investigation by law enforcement in the state of Georgia. He is charged with actions to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election, storage of state secret documents on private property, obstruction of business, and incitement to invade the Capitol on January 6th.
[웨이코( 미 텍사스주)= AP/ 뉴시스]
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.