Former President Donald Trump focuses on immigration at Nassau County rally; travels to Washington next amid tight security

NASSAU COUNTY, Long Island (WABC) — Former President Donald Trump would begin his day at Trump Tower in New York City on Thursday after appearing at a campaign rally before an energetic crowd of thousands at Nassau Coliseum.

The rally was his first on Long Island.

The former president made immigration a key campaign issue and also made it the focus of his speech in Uniondale on Wednesday.

“We are simply destroying the fabric of our country. And we will not stand for that anymore. And you have to get rid of these people. Give me a chance,” Trump said.

He attacked the Democratic leadership in the city and state of New York, blaming them for the fact that homeless people live in what he called “horrible, disgusting, dangerous and filthy encampments.” He even spoke out for the conditions in the New York subway, which he described as “deplorable and unsafe” and promised to renovate.

“What the hell do you have to lose?” he said, asking for her vote.

Trump has promised to carry out “the largest deportation operation in the history of our country” if elected in November, but he has not provided details on how such an operation would be carried out.

“Look at what’s happening,” he told his audience in New York. “Businesses are fleeing, money is flowing out of your state, and hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrants are draining your public resources.”

The large rally took place just days after the alleged second assassination attempt on the former president in Florida at the weekend.

More than 60,000 tickets were requested for the big event, even though the venue only seats 16,000. And although tens of thousands of his supporters were unable to enter the hall, they stayed to be near the Republican presidential candidate and watch his speech on large screens outside.

Trump said he plans to visit Springfield, Ohio, in the next two weeks after the former president and his running mate JD Vance made false accusations against the city that members of the city’s Haitian community were kidnapping and eating cats and dogs.

While Trump is in Manhattan at Trump Tower, the Secret Service has increased security for the former president, with a tent now in place for his arrivals and departures – another step that brings Trump even closer to presidential security.

56th Street between Fifth Street and Madison was already closed to traffic after the shooting in Pennsylvania, but now a vehicle barrier like the one seen in front of a government building blocks access.

Former President Trump is expected to stop in Brooklyn on Thursday before traveling to Washington, DC, where he will attend an event on “Fighting Anti-Semitism in America” at 6 p.m. and then speak at the American Council National Summit.

Trump has long enjoyed strong support in the Jewish community and is courting Democratic favor among Jewish voters in response to growing criticism from progressive forces of the war between Israel and Hamas.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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