Far ahead in polls, Trump urges Evangelicals to stick with him despite indictment

While delivering the keynote speech at the Faith & Freedom Coalition Gala in Washington on Saturday night, former U.S. President Donald Trump told the crowd he was the only viable Republican choice for president of the United States.

Positioning himself as the defender of Judeo-Christian values and tradition, Trump told the audience, “No president ever fought for Christians as hard as I have.”

Trump also claimed that none of his Republican contenders have the strength to withstand the attacks from Democrats. Claiming that all of his legal issues are due to his conservative values and success, Trump said he is the only choice.

If another Republican candidate were leading in the polls, that person would face the same attacks, Trump claimed.

“They would go after that person, male or female, just as viciously as they go after me,” Trump told the crowd. “And that person would not be able to handle it. That’s why you have no choice but to vote for Donald Trump!”

Throughout the hour-and-a-half speech, Trump painted a picture of Judeo-Christian values and American traditions under attack by “the radical left Democrats, Marxists, Communists and fascists.”

“As we gather today, our beloved nation is teetering on the edge of tyranny,” Trump said in his opening remarks.

“Our enemies are waging war on faith and freedom, on science and religion, on history and tradition on law and democracy on God almighty himself,” he continued, as the crowd cheered him on.

Speaking about the one-year anniversary of the overturning of Roe v. Wade, Trump took credit for the reversal.

“I got it done and nobody thought it was even a possibility,” he said. “As your president, I will continue to stand proudly for pro-life policies, just as I did for four strong years.”

While he spoke against abortion, Trump did not give many specifics. He did not endorse the 15-week abortion ban supported by most of his Republican challengers. Instead, he simply said: “Every child, born and unborn, is a sacred gift from God.”

Trump repeatedly included the audience in his declarations, frequently using the word “we” to describe his own experiences and positioning himself as the one who is protecting the religious right in America.

“They want to take away my freedom because I will never let them take away your freedom,” he told the crowd. “They want to silence me because I will never let them silence you. And in the end, they’re not after me, they’re after you. And I just happen to be standing in their way.”

Later he continued: “This isn’t my campaign, this is our campaign. This has got to be our campaign.”

Trump claimed to have reformed the judiciary, citing the nearly 300 judges appointed during his administration, “to interpret the law and the Constitution, as written.”

He also referenced the three Supreme Court justices appointed during his term, saying that “they’re under tremendous assault and pressure.”

“I stood proudly with our friend and all, the State of Israel. I did more for Israel, they say, than any other president," Trump said, reminding the audience of his strong support for Israel.

Trump attacked U.S. President Joe Biden on a number of issues, including border security, referring to the large number of illegal immigrants crossing the border as “an invasion.

“I will issue a policy directive making clear that a core national defense mission is to protect American sovereignty, and therefore, we must use any and all resources necessary to stop this incredible, incredible invasion,” Trump vowed, telling the crowd that, if re-elected, his administration will “end the child trafficking crisis by returning all trafficked children to their families in their home countries immediately.”

Trump also promised to increase deportations, focusing primarily on criminals, promising to “remove all known or suspected gang members, drug dealers or cartel members from the United States.”

“The whole world is on fire,” Trump declared while promising to be a peacemaker.

“Before I even arrive at the Oval Office, I will have the horrible war between Russia and Ukraine totally settled,” Trump promised. “The Bible says, ‘Blessed are the peacemakers.’ I will be your peacemaker.”

He also vowed to push back against “these terrible people that have taken over our education system.”

While Trump has historically been very supportive of gay rights, he vowed to fight against the transgender agenda.

“I will immediately sign a new executive order to cut federal funding for any school pushing critical race theory, transgender insanity and other inappropriate racial, sexual or political content on our children,” he assured the audience.

“I will sign a law prohibiting child sexual mutilation in all 50 states."

He also promised to ban transgender in the military, saying: “Our warriors should be focused on crushing American enemies.”

Trump asserted that it is time for people of faith to fight back, telling the enthusiastic group that it is "time for us to keep our faith, our unity, and our resolve. We must be strong like never before. We must be unstoppable.”

“We will win a righteous and resounding victory on November 5, 2024, and we will make America great again.”