'Four more years!': Michigan crowd rallies for Trump ahead of House impeachment vote

BATTLE CREEK — Impeachment was in the air on Wednesday evening. But so was excitement for the 2020 election cycle and unyielding support for the thousands gathered at Kellogg Arena to see and hear President Donald Trump.

For Adam Piazza, the impeachment debate and vote in Washington D.C. has prompted him to do something he's never done before -- donate money to a political campaign.

After reading the transcript of a call between President Donald Trump and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky that ultimately led to impeachment proceedings against Trump, the Lake Orion plumber whipped out his checkbook and wrote a $100 check.

And another one in October. And another one in November.

"It's bizarre. I've never given money before," he said while waiting to hear from Trump at the Kellogg Arena in Battle Creek. "Trump doesn’t need my money, but that transcript was the last straw for me. I don’t make that much money, but it was about making a statement. I just didn’t want to be all talk, talk, talk and no action."

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His stepfather, Anthony Klukowski, a retired Detroit policeman who lives in Livonia, said the impeachment of Trump is more of a blessing than a curse for Republicans.

"Impeachment is going to be good for our side," he said. "We're going to be energized and I'll be knocking on doors."

The crowd of more than 5,400 people jammed into the arena dressed in red and green, and some even wore Santa Claus costumes or suits emblazoned with life-size photos of Trump. Most wore the now familiar red Trump t-shirt or ball caps. They cheered and chanted, and eagerly awaited the arrival of Trump, who will stand on a stage flanked by two decorated Christmas trees topped with the trademark red and white Make America Great Again hats rather than stars.

The rally goers came from near and far, some from as far away as Indiana and Illinois for the event. This is the first time a sitting president has visited Battle Creek since 2004 when former President George W. Bush held a re-election campaign rally there.

"This is something our community is celebrating. It’s a big deal and an opportunity for us to showcase our community," said state Rep. Matt Hall, R-Marshall. "Usually the president comes to Grand Rapids or Detroit. But president Trump hasn’t forgotten about places like Calhoun County, where there are a lot of blue collar workers in rural areas who back him."

And instead of being angry about the impeachment debate and expected vote on Wednesday evening, they were thrilled to show their support for the president.

"Nobody is worried about what I like to call 'the coup attempt,'" said Jonda Sewell, of Howell, who wore a t-shirt that displayed the message "Read the Transcript." "It’s not going to get passed the Senate. And as far as what’s going on here tonight, it’s all magic."

Calhoun County was one of 12 Michigan counties that supported former President Barack Obama in 2008 and 2012, and then flipped to support Trump in 2016.

Michigan Republican Party chairwoman Laura Cox praised the crowd for helping deliver Michigan for Trump, and said they could help provide the best Christmas present to the New York businessman.

"FOUR MORE YEARS! FOUR MORE YEARS!" the crowd chanted in response.

But she also shared frustration with what was taking place in Washington, only the third time in the nation's history that an American President would be impeached.

"What a waste. They make me so mad," Cox said of Congress. "They still can't get over the fact that they lost in 2016 and Donald Trump won."

Troy Wilson, 47, of Marion, Indiana, also said he wasn’t worried about impeachment because he said that Democrats kept changing the charge against the president.

“It’s a joke…First it was quid pro quo, then it was extortion, then it was bribery, and now it’s something else,” he said. “How are you supposed to defend yourself when the charges keeps changing."

Wilson said the impeachment will only help Trump now and next year.

“He’s a rock,” he said. “Who else could be fighting for us when everybody else is fighting against him…He’s not perfect, but he’s the perfect guy for the job.”

And Aleshia Kieboom, 19, of Kalamazoo, said the impeachment vote actually united Trump supporters toward a common goal.

“Everybody is united for a common cause,” she said. “To vote again for Trump-Pence 2020.”

And instead of being mad at the impeachment vote, Piazza said, he's looking toward a dismissal in the U.S. Senate.

"We're not mad. We're just tired of it all."

Contact Kathleen Gray: 313-223-4430, kgray99@freepress.com or on Twitter @michpoligal.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Impeachment: Trump supporters in Battle Creek rally before House vote