“People will remember people who don’t support us,” Trump said of the joint session of Congress on Wednesday, when lawmakers will vote to certify the electoral votes of President-elect Joe Biden.
Speaking at a rally here, Trump rebuked members of his party who refused to support his attempt to overthrow Biden’s victory in November, and continued to promote falsehoods that the election was stolen from him – spending relatively little time talking about senators incumbent whose second round the elections will take place on Tuesday.
He promised to campaign against Georgia’s governor, Brian Kemp, and secretary of state Brad Raffensperger in 2022, because they certified Biden’s victory in the state, and praised Republicans who plan to challenge the results of the Electoral College in Congress this week.
And while he deserves praise from Loeffler and Perdue, Trump has spent most of his time furiously claiming that the November 3 election was fraudulent – and firing a warning shot at Republican lawmakers before Wednesday’s Capitol vote certification .
“Many corrupt things have happened,” said the president. “One thing I learned about Republicans is that they have some difficulties. But do you know a difficulty they don’t have? They never forget. They never forget. And people will find that out. “
The crowd that attended the rally, which took place on the runway at the municipal airport here, was the most energized when Trump discussed his electoral challenges and reflected on supporting a major opponent against the governor. At one point, a group of supporters shouted, “F — you, Kemp!”
Many of Trump’s teleprompter lines were about Loeffler and Perdue, two of his biggest supporters in Congress. But when he left offhand, it was mainly about his attempt to thwart the election result.
“I don’t hold rallies for other people,” said the president later. “I do them for myself.”
It was his second campaign rally since Biden was declared the winner of the election.
“This may be the most important vote you will cast for the rest of your life,” said Trump. “It really could be. This is very important. ”
He repeatedly attacked Kemp and Raffensperger – Republican companions that Trump campaigned for in 2018 and that he often antagonized for rejecting his efforts to contest the election. The demonstration came just days after Trump called Raffensperger to pressure him to “find” additional votes that might tip the state in his favor. The phone call, the recording of which leaked on Sunday, shocked officials in Washington and Atlanta, even leading to talk about criminal investigations.
Trump said Kemp and Raffensperger were “terrified” of Stacey Abrams, the former Georgia Democratic lawmaker who ran for governor against Kemp in 2018. His promise to return to the state to campaign against them solidified the 180-degree turn of his support just two years before. It also showed his feeling of betrayal by those he thought would remain loyal to him during his election challenge.
Trump also expressed his disappointment with the Supreme Court for refusing to hear a lengthy lawsuit challenging the election results in several major states – especially since his numerous appointments to the federal court, including three Supreme Court judges, were a big point. of discussion throughout your re-election campaign.
When introducing Senator Mike Lee (R-Utah) to the rally stage on Monday, Trump said he was “a little angry” with the senator, who acknowledged Biden’s electoral victory last month.
“I just want Mike Lee to hear what we’re talking about, because you know what, we need your vote,” said Trump.
Trump even warned Vice President Mike Pence that he had better “pass us by” when he presides over the counting of votes at the Electoral College on Wednesday.
“Of course, if he doesn’t pass, I won’t like him that much,” said Trump, who then tried to soften the comment as a joke.
Trump’s rally was in contrast to a Biden campaign event in the state the previous Monday, in which the Democratic president-elect emphasized the political priorities at stake in the second round. There, Biden tied the victories of Democratic candidates Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff to passing Covid’s relief legislation, including $ 2,000 stimulus checks.
But in his praise for Loeffler and Perdue, Trump focused on his loyalty. He also praised other Republicans loyal to his cause, including Sens. Josh Hawley of Missouri and Ted Cruz of Texas, who also said they would challenge the results of the Electoral College in Congress.
During Loeffler’s brief appearance on the rally stage, she emphasized that her loyalty to the president was not in question. She announced during the demonstration that she would join some of her Republican colleagues in contesting the Electoral College vote on Wednesday, drawing public applause.
“This president fought for us. We are fighting for it. He put America first, ”said Loeffler. “Georgia, we are the barrier to socialism.”