via Associated PressFormer US President Donald Trump during a speech in Washington DC, July 26, 2022.
UNITED STATES — Donald Trump, back in Washington for the first time since his tumultuous departure from the White House, delivered a speech Tuesday, July 26, worthy of a campaign candidate and is reportedly flirting with the idea of running for one to run for a new term. .
At the invitation of the America First Policy Institute, a think tank run by his allies, the 76-year-old billionaire presented an action plan for the “Republican president who will return to the White House in 2024.”
For more than an hour and a half, he resumed his favorite topics – including fighting immigration and crime – while vehemently attacking his successor, Joe Biden, who has been accused of “bringing the United States to its knees.”
Heavy rhetoric to justify his return in 2024
He resumed his violent rhetoric, using shocking imagery such as “streets full of needles filled with the blood of innocent victims” and cities “where the middle class flocked to the ‘American Dream'” versus “war zones”. From the rapes, thefts, the parents’ fear when their children are on the street.
The ex-president presented several measures including the death penalty for drug dealers, providing more resources to the police and ending early and electronic voting. “There is no more respect for the law and, above all, no more order. Our country is now a cesspool of crime, we have blood, death and suffering because the Democratic Party is destroying and dismantling law enforcement,” he added, increasingly grim.
Trump: “Our country is now a cesspool of crime, we have blood, death and suffering on a scale once unthinkable because of the efforts of the Democratic Party to destroy and dismantle law enforcement.” #AmericaFirstAgenda
MORE: https://t.co/uUvLQkOuMZpic.twitter.com/rIHJQbz8E6
— Newsmax (@newsmax) July 26, 2022
After painting an apocalyptic portrait of the country, he slipped: “The story is far from over and we are preparing for an incredible comeback, we have no other choice. With strength we will restore our safety. With hard work we will rebuild our prosperity. Through courage we will claim our freedom. (…) We will make America glorious as never before.”
Donald Trump: “We are preparing for an incredible comeback, a comeback for which we have no other choice.” #AmericaFirstAgendapic.twitter.com/SlkWqzUfC7
— Newsmax (@newsmax) July 26, 2022
The Justice Department cares about Trump
So Trump is preparing for his return, a year and a half after leaving power with his head down, two weeks after hundreds of his supporters attacked the Capitol. He had not set foot in the federal capital since then, but remained the focus of attention of a parliamentary commission of inquiry to investigate his role in the world-shattering attack. The latter has just organized a series of well-attended public hearings that have lifted the veil on its maneuvers to stay in power.
The Justice Department is also investigating Trump’s actions during the Capitol storm, according to the Washington Post. Witnesses are being questioned before a jury about the conversations they had with the former president, his lawyers and other members of his circle, multiple sources told the daily in the federal capital. The department also received phone recordings from key members of the Trump administration in April. The media had already heard about the investigations, which were being carried out against several relatives, but never against the real estate magnate himself.
Speaking on NBC, Attorney General Merrick Garland did not rule out the possibility of charges against Donald Trump. “We intend to hold everyone criminally responsible for (their role in) the events surrounding January 6 accountable for any attempt to disrupt the legal transfer of power from one government to another,” he said.
Attorney General Merrick Garland in an exclusive interview with @LesterHoltNBC:
“We intend to hold everyone – everyone – criminally responsible for the events surrounding January 6th accountable for any attempt to disrupt the legitimate transfer of power.” pic.twitter.com/JGNp7cFWLk
— The Recount (@therecount) July 26, 2022
“It’s all a trap,” the commission had “only thugs and pirates,” Donald Trump replied very combatively on Tuesday. “You want to attack me so I can’t work for you anymore, but I don’t think that will work,” he added with a smile on his face. “Four more years,” he then chanted in the hall, applauded him and referred to the duration of a possible new mandate.
Mike Pence continues to distance himself
Coincidentally, his former Vice President Mike Pence also visited Washington on Tuesday, where he used a speech to young conservatives to emphasize his difference from Donald Trump. “We don’t agree on priorities,” he said, unveiling a program focused on fighting abortion and protecting the right to bear arms and freedom of religion.
“It is absolutely important (…) not to give in to the temptation to look back” and “look to the future,” added this Christian conservative, who criticizes the former president for spending too much time trying to predict the outcome of the elections of 2020 to question.
Donald Trump has never given up. Conjuring up “massive voter fraud” without any evidence, for two years he has devoted most of his public interventions to denouncing “a stolen election”.
However, he put this speech on hold on Tuesday. “I always say I ran once and won, then I ran again and won more votes,” he said. Before adding, “I might have to do it a third time!” he promises “details” in the coming weeks.
Ron DeSantis is gaining ground
Donald Trump retains a central spot with Republicans. He appears to have retained a base of loyal supporters, which would put him in pole position should he decide to seek the nomination.
But the critics are tarnishing his image and allowing his rivals — like Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis — to gain ground. According to a recent New York Times and Siena College poll, nearly half of Republicans voting in the primary would prefer someone other than Donald Trump.
Last week, the Wall Street Journal and the New York Post, owned by the influential Murdoch family, published editorials criticizing Donald Trump’s conduct on January 6, 2021.
Nevertheless, his speech was followed at the highest level. “You may say I’m old fashioned, but I don’t think inciting a mob to attack cops shows ‘respect for the law,'” Joe Biden tweeted.
Call me old-fashioned, but I don’t think it’s “respect for the law” to incite a mob to attack a cop.
You can’t be pro-insurgency and pro-cop – or pro-democracy or pro-American. https://t.co/iPtFrgVX5P
— President Biden (@POTUS) July 26, 2022
“If you are pro-insurgency, you cannot be pro-police or pro-democracy or pro-American,” continued the 79-year-old president, who could also run for a second term in 2024.
Also see on the Huffpost: Trump annoyed and unable to voice his defeat in a speech the day after the Capitol