Former US President Donald Trump has referred to his successor Joe Biden as an “enemy of the State” in his first rally since his Mar-A-Lago home was raided.
The remarks were made in response to Biden’s controversial prime-time speech last week in which he said that Trump’s Republican followers were a “threat” to American democracy.
“Not every Republican, not even a majority of Republicans, are MAGA Republicans,” said Biden last week, referring to Donald Trump’s 2016 “MAGA” campaign slogan – “Make America Great Again.”
“Not every Republican embraces their extreme ideology,” Biden continued.
“But there’s no question that the Republican Party today is dominated, driven and intimidated by Donald Trump and the MAGA Republicans. And that is a threat to this country.”
Following Biden’s speech – during which he was flanked on either sides by two shadowy soldiers and speaking in front of a crimson red background – many denounced the rhetoric as divisive, saying it was inappropriate for a US president to attack a large section of his political opponents’ electorate.
Last night, Donald Trump weighed in on the matter, breaking his silence.
“This week, Joe Biden came to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to give the most vicious, hateful and divisive speech ever delivered by an American president, vilifying 75 million citizens…as threats to democracy and as enemies of the state,” said Trump.
The Republican added: “He’s an enemy of the state.”
Trump also called the FBI search at his private home in Mar-a-Lago an example of “the very real threats of American freedom.”
“There could be no more vivid example of the very real threats of American freedom than just a few weeks ago you saw when we witnessed one of the most shocking abuses of power by any administration in American history,” he said.
“The shameful raid and breaking of my home Mar-a-Lago was a travesty of justice.”
The comments were made in reference to federal authorities raiding Trump’s personal home last month on August 8th, seizing classified documents which they claimed were in his possession illegally after leaving office.
At least four dozen of the folders labelled “classified” so far have been found to be completely empty. Another 42 empty folders marked “Return to Staff Secretary/Miliary [sic] Aide,” were also discovered by law enforcement.
Over 10,000 govt docs without classified markings were seized from Mar-a-Lago, DOJ says https://t.co/utSDSUvXvm
— Andrea Mitchell (@mitchellreports) September 2, 2022