HOWELL, Mich. (AP) — Former President Donald Trump promised on Tuesday to “Make America Safe Again” during his campaign visit to Michigan. Meanwhile, Democrats at the convention in Chicago where Kamala Harris was nominated labeled him as a career criminal.
Trump, as part of his campaign swing in battleground states to counter the Democratic National Convention, stood with sheriff’s deputies in Howell and criticized Harris, calling her the “ringleader” of a “Marxist attack on law enforcement” nationwide.
“Kamala Harris will bring crime, chaos, destruction, and death,” Trump claimed, painting a dark picture of America under Harris. “I will bring law, order, safety, and peace.”
In recent weeks, Trump has been trying to diminish the support Harris has gained since Biden withdrew his reelection bid. He has been making predictions about the consequences of electing Harris and his advisers have organized events where he can highlight policy differences. In Michigan, the focus was on crime and public safety.
“Our law enforcement officers support law-abiding citizens every day,” Trump stated. “When we return to the White House, you will see the support like never before.”
In his prepared remarks, Trump’s campaign mentioned that he would propose the death penalty for child rapists and traffickers, although he did not discuss this during his speech.
This event was part of a series focusing on specific issues. However, on such occasions, Trump often spends time attacking Harris and Biden. This was also evident after their appearances at the Democratic convention on Monday.
“I watched in amazement as they tried to pretend everything was great,” Trump remarked, criticizing Democrats for overlooking inflation and the U.S.-Mexico border issues. “We have an incompetent president,” he added, referring to Biden.
Trump portrayed a grim picture of life in the U.S. under a Harris presidency, although he lacked specifics and used exaggerated language.
“It’s unbelievable,” Trump exclaimed. “You can’t even go across the street to buy bread without the fear of being shot, mugged, or assaulted. It’s time for a change.”
For Trump to make such claims, surrounded by law enforcement officers, contrasted starkly with the Democratic convention. Speaker after speaker on Monday night in Chicago reminded Americans that Trump is the first former president ever convicted of felony crimes, accused of sexual assault in a civil case, and facing multiple indictments, including for attempting to overturn his 2020 election loss.
Rep. Jasmine Crockett of Texas criticized Trump on Monday as “a career criminal with 34 felonies, two impeachments, and ties to a porn star,” alluding to his conviction in New York for business fraud in relation to payments made to an adult film actress.
To the crowd’s applause, Crockett praised Harris as a former prosecutor with a solid background contrasted with Trump’s criminal record.
The contempt peaked when Hillary Clinton, defeated by Trump in 2016, watched delegates chant “Lock him up! Lock him up!” – a reversal of Trump supporters’ chant against Clinton despite her never facing any criminal charges.
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