During a rally in Erie, Pennsylvania, on Sunday, Trump appeared to suggest that a single day of violence could eliminate crime. He proposed that Rep. Mike Kelly (R-Pa.) should oversee “one really violent day,” stating, “One rough hour. And I mean real rough, the world will get it out and it will end immediately.” However, he provided no specific details about how this would work.
This idea is reminiscent of the fictional “The Purge” film series, where all crime is permitted for 12 hours each year. One of the films even critiques the Trump administration, according to reports.
Trump’s comments came after he falsely claimed that crime is skyrocketing, a narrative often used by the far right to incite fear. He also repeated the misleading notion that migrants are responsible for the supposed increase in crime.
The former president, who has been impeached twice, has a history of using violent language and inciting violence, notably leading up to the January 6, 2021, Capitol insurrection that resulted in five deaths following his 2020 election loss.
Recently, he warned of a “bloodbath” if he were to lose the upcoming election. His rally in Erie precedes his scheduled return to Butler, Pennsylvania, on October 5, the site of his first assassination attempt in July.
