SCHNECKSVILLE, Pa.—When former President Donald Trump denounced the New York criminal case against him as a “communist show trial,” thousands of people at his April 13 rally here responded with a thunderous chant: “We love Trump!”
“Thank you; I love you, too. … That’s what I put up with this stuff,” President Trump said, referring to the repeated allegations and investigations he has faced ever since entering politics.
He expressed appreciation for the crowd at the Schnecksville Fire Company Fairgrounds, which he estimated at 42,000 people; most shivered in chilly, damp conditions with gusting winds for at least five hours.
Referencing the New York criminal case set to begin Monday, April 15, President Trump said, “When I walk into that courtroom, I know I will have the love of 200 million Americans behind me.” That equates to the number of registered U.S. voters in 2016; the former president said he also would be fighting for the freedom of all Americans.
“A vote for Donald Trump is a vote to save America’s future and a vote to save America’s freedom,” he said, adding, “A vote for Joe Biden is a vote to end the rule of law. And it’s a vote to destroy America.”
Before launching extensive commentary about his upcoming New York trial, the former president acknowledged Iran had just carried out airstrikes on Israel. “America prays for Israel,” he said.
While touting his own “peace-through-strength” approach, President Trump accused his successor and political opponent, President Joe Biden, of “weakness” that created a favorable climate for Israel to be attacked on Oct. 7 and again on April 13.
President Trump also accused President Biden of hurting the U.S. economy, encouraging illegal immigration, and “weaponizing” the justice system for political purposes—up to and including targeting his arch-political rival. The former president, a Republican, and the incumbent Democrat president are expected to face off against each other in the Nov. 5 general election.
“Our democracy is under siege because of Joe Biden,” President Trump said. “Joe Biden loves to say that democracy is on the ballot in this election. If it is, we’re going to win in the greatest landslide in history.”
By Janice Hisle
