Trump Rallies Supporters in Erie, Makes Case to be Elected in 2024
Former President Donald Trump took to a stage at Erie Insurance Arena on Saturday evening to blast President Joe Biden's administration and make the case for voters to elect him in 2024.
He came out to a crowd of supporters chanting "USA."
Trump then started criticizing the Biden administration's handling of illegal immigration, high inflation, environmental policies and foreign policy.
He also accused Biden and his family of corruption. Trump also criticized efforts to impeach him, his indictments and the handling of the classified documents case.
Trump also claimed the 2020 election was rigged despite there being no evidence. He told supporters they aren't going to allow it to happen again in 2024.
He also took shots at his Republican opponents including Ron DeSantis, particularly his campaign struggles and polling.
Trump touted the border wall built during his administration, creation of the Space Force and the appointment of federal judges and Supreme Court Justices before the ruling which ended Roe v. Wade.
He then addressed the economy, promising to rebuild the economy, bring jobs back to Pennsylvania by imposing a border tariff on all foreign-made goods and end a number of consumer regulations.
Trump also claims he will end the war between Ukraine and Russia once elected and cut funding for schools which push Critical Race Theory or have mask or vaccine mandates.
In the middle of his speech, Trump invited U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly back onto the stage to rally what was a much smaller crowd of supporters than his previous rallies in Erie. The speech lasted an hour and 40 minutes.
He drew a large crowds to Erie Insurance Arena in 2016 and in the 2018 midterms. He also held a rally at Erie International Airport in 2020, just three weeks before he lost his reelection bid to Joe Biden.
The visit to Erie comes amid new allegations he tried to obstruct justice in the Mar-a-Lago classified documents case.
He is currently the frontrunner for the Republican nomination in the 2024 presidential race.
WATCH: Trump's full speech from the rally
WATCH: Trump arrives at Erie International Airport
Tight security for rally
Although some City of Erie officials say there is a lingering matter over whether the costs of President Trump's last visit to Erie Insurance Arena were paid for when he was a sitting president, there was no shortage of security Saturday.
Both the City of Erie and Millcreek SWAT teams were there.
Erie police officers flooded the blocks around Erie Insurance Arena and nearby parking garages in cars, on bicycles and on foot.
Rally brings out-of-town vendors
Out-of-town vendors came to Erie to cash in on the former president.
More than a dozen vendors could be seen near Erie Insurance Arena selling Trump hats and T-shirts.