Former President Donald Trump has recently emphasized the need for the Republican Party to remain “strong and united” as they approach the 2024 elections. In a town hall series organized by the Association of Mature American Citizens, Trump expressed his belief that the GOP possesses significant political power that remains untapped. He criticized the Democrats for their alleged misuse of power, likening their actions to those seen in a “banana republic.”
Trump’s call for unity comes at a time when the GOP is experiencing internal divisions. The recent ousting of California GOP Rep. Kevin McCarthy as House Speaker by eight ultra-right Republican House members has intensified these divisions. Trump has shown his support for House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan for the Speaker position, praising him for his dedication and toughness.
“You know, we’re a laughingstock all over the world,” Trump said during the town hall. Trump said no other country allows their officers to stand there and watch kids walk out with expensive things. Trump has also unveiled an ambitious anti-crime agenda. He plans to introduce a law-and-order agenda establishing federal authority for stop-and-frisk policies if re-elected. This move was inspired by former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani’s successful implementation of the policy three decades ago. Trump believes such measures are essential to combat the rising crime rates in urban areas.
In response to the waves of violent crimes hitting cities, Trump called for more aggressive crackdowns by law enforcement to make criminals feel the consequences and be deterred from committing new crimes. Trump believes that it will stop immediately once the police get stricter.
The former president also proposed protections for police officers from lawsuits, aiming to boost their confidence in tackling crime. He expressed his intention to work with Congress to create indemnification provisions, ensuring officers can perform their duties without fear of legal repercussions. He said, “I’m going to do is on a federal basis; I’m going to indemnify any and all police officers from having a problem,”
Furthermore, Trump discussed potential changes to the federal budget, suggesting the elimination of certain federal agencies, such as the U.S. Education Department. He wants to move the Department of Education into the states. He proposed redirecting the tax savings from these eliminations back to states and cities in the form of block grants.
On the foreign policy front, Trump expressed his desire to distance Russia from its alliance with China and end the Ukraine war peacefully. He also touched upon the global chip market, suggesting the imposition of tariffs on foreign chip manufacturers. Trump also added that: “we’ll make our chips here because these companies have a lot of money to set up.”
Despite facing multiple legal challenges, Trump remains optimistic. He attributes his resilience to his deep love for the country and his commitment to the “Make America Great Again” ethos.