At a recent rally in Erie, Pennsylvania, former President Donald Trump stirred controversy once again with his comments advocating for violence as a way to address what he describes as a growing crime wave in America, specifically “migrant crime.” Trump suggested “one really violent day” could be a solution, drawing comparisons to the thriller series The Purge, where for one night, all crime is legal, including murder.
During the rally, Trump called for authorities to be given free rein to “get real rough” for a brief period to tackle the supposed surge in crime.
“If you had one really violent day,” Trump said, directing his remarks toward Republican Congressman Mike Kelly. “Put a guy like Mike Kelly in charge. Would you, Mike, say, ‘Oh, please don’t touch them, let them rob your store’?”
Trump escalated his rhetoric, referencing thieves in New York allegedly walking out of stores with large items, including refrigerators, without police intervention. He claimed that law enforcement is being unfairly restrained, fearing for their pensions, livelihoods, and homes.
“See, we have to let the police do their job, and if they have to be extraordinarily rough… The police want to do it. The Border Patrol wants to do it—Border Patrol, they’re incredible. But they’re not allowed to because the liberal left won’t let them. The liberal left wants to destroy them and destroy our country,” Trump added.
He continued, “You see these guys walking out with air conditioners and refrigerators on their backs, and the police can’t do anything. They’re told: ‘If you do anything, you’re going to lose your pension, your family, your house.’ All these stores go out of business. One rough hour—and I mean real rough—the word will get out, and it will end immediately.”
Despite his controversial remarks and being charged with 34 felony counts earlier this year, Trump remains a leading figure in the political arena, solidifying his position as the Republican nominee for the 2024 presidential election. While his tough stance on crime resonates with his base, critics argue that his suggestions are dangerous and undermine the rule of law. Many worry that such statements could incite violence and create a climate of fear in an already polarized nation.
