In his first campaign stop since his criminal trial in Manhattan began, former President Donald J. Trump visited a bodega in Harlem on Tuesday. During his visit, he made a pointed attack on the district attorney prosecuting him and portrayed himself as tough on crime, a central theme of his 2024 run.
The bodega visit was significant because it was the site of a case that sparked political controversy for Manhattan’s district attorney. An employee was charged after fatally stabbing a man following a confrontation, leading to criticism of the district attorney, Alvin Bragg.
Despite spending the day in a Manhattan courtroom as a criminal defendant, Mr. Trump traveled uptown to criticize Bragg for being too lenient on crime and to emphasize his “law and order” message. He tried to distinguish his tough-on-crime stance from the felony charges he faces in four separate cases.
During his visit to the bodega, Mr. Trump met with the store’s owner, the lawyer of the employee involved in the stabbing incident, and Francisco Marte, the founder of the Bodega and Small Business Association. He criticized liberal politicians, portrayed Democratic-run cities as crime-ridden, and attacked their leaders for being lax on law and order.
Despite facing criminal charges, Mr. Trump shook hands and posed for a photo with a group of uniformed New York police officers. He also repeated his criticism of President Biden’s handling of the border crisis.
Some of Mr. Trump’s supporters at the event expressed their belief that he would win in 2024 and that his criminal charges were mere allegations. However, not all attendees were supportive, as a group of protesters also showed up to jeer him.
Overall, Mr. Trump promised to make a big play for New York and indicated that he would hold more campaign stops after his courtroom appearances. Campaign aides are exploring planning rallies on days when the trial is expected to pause, and Mr. Trump is likely to continue holding rallies on weekends.
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