Former President Donald J. Trump held his first campaign rallies since his criminal trial in Manhattan began. He urged college presidents to take a tougher approach to protests over the war in Gaza that have swept across campuses and praised police action at the demonstrations.
Mr. Trump called protesters “raging lunatics” and suggested they were hired by liberal groups to draw attention away from the surge of migrants at the border. He commended New York City police officers for their actions at Columbia University and called for similar actions at universities across the country.
Speaking in Wisconsin, Mr. Trump promoted a law-and-order message and criticized the gag order in his trial. He reiterated his complaints about the criminal case, calling it a sham and political persecution by President Biden.
As Mr. Trump is tied down in court proceedings, he and Republicans have seized on the campus demonstrations as a wedge issue. They hope to foment discontent among Mr. Biden’s Democratic base over his handling of Israel. Mr. Trump’s campaign message has focused on painting Mr. Biden as a weak leader.
Mr. Trump’s energetic demeanor at the rallies stood in stark contrast to his demeanor in court. He continued to express pride in the size of his crowds and delivered a dark campaign message about the direction of the country under Mr. Biden’s leadership.
In Michigan, Mr. Trump praised conservative justices who overturned Roe v. Wade. His remarks came after Vice President Kamala Harris visited Florida and criticized the state’s new abortion restrictions.
Both parties are focused on winning battleground states like Michigan and Wisconsin. Mr. Trump visited these states before his trial began and has been actively campaigning despite the legal proceedings.
The Republican National Committee is holding its 2024 convention in Milwaukee, emphasizing the importance of these states in the upcoming election. Mr. Trump’s efforts to overturn his 2020 election loss have also been central in Michigan and Wisconsin.
