Former US President Donald Trump returned to public rallies this weekend with his first campaign-style event since leaving the White House, as part of his efforts to fulfill his promise to exact revenge on those who voted against him in his second impeachment.
Trump’s event Saturday at the Lorain County Fair in Ohio, not far from Cleveland, is held in support of Max Miller, a former White House aide who challenges Republican Congressman Anthony Gonzalez in the primary election for his seat in The congress.
Gonzalez was one of only 10 Republican representatives who voted to impeach Trump for his role in inciting the fatal assault on the Capitol on January 6. Now Trump wants to make them pay.
Traffic was heavy between the fairgrounds and Wellington, where pro-Trump signs could be seen outside houses. On street corners, “Trump 2024” flags and other merchandise were being sold as supporters arrived.
The rally, which takes place five months after Trump left the presidency under a cloud of violence, marks the beginning of a new phase. A more public phase of his post-presidency period.
After spending most of his time behind closed doors putting together a political operation and ranting about the latest election, Trump plans a series of public appearances in the coming weeks.
He will hold another rally in Florida on Independence Day weekend and travel to the Mexican border next week to protest President Joe Biden’s immigration policies.
All of this comes as Trump faces immediate legal risks. Prosecutors in Manhattan informed his company Thursday that he could soon face criminal charges stemming from a vast investigation into the former president’s business activities.