'There is no crime': Trump supporters rally in Bedminster before speech

BEDMINSTER — Supporters of former President Donald Trump gathered near the Trump National Golf Club Tuesday afternoon, protesting his historic indictment on federal charges related to his handling of classified documents.

Demonstrators outside the Clarence Dillion Public Library hollered at passing cars as they raised flags and banners that read "Trump 2024," "Make Votes Count Again", and "Save America." Cars and trucks honked back in support, eliciting cheers from the crowd of 30-odd people.

The crowd was protesting the indictment of the former president after he was charged with 37 federal counts concerning his possession and storage of classified documents after he left office. The protesters repeated the claims that Trump has made about this investigation being another "witch hunt" use to persecute him.

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'This is punishment without a crime'

Terry Beck of Hillsborough was the organizer of the protest. She said she had put together many rallies for the former president in the past, and says that the amount of people that have turned out to support Trump is enough proof for her.

"I think doing this on a day like today shows not only the supporters supporting an innocent man, not a guilty man, so that says it for itself," Beck said. "He wouldn't have that many supporters standing out there if he was that guilty."

Edward X. Young of Brick, who says he has been to 57 Trump rallies, also believes Trump is innocent.

"The thing is, there is no crime," Young said. "This is punishment without a crime."

Despite the negative opinions on Trump's indictment, however, the protest was in many ways treated as a celebration. Protesters sat on law chairs, brought food, and played music.

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"I think it's jubilant," said Linda Hoodiman of Warren County. "I think everyone's very excited. They're pumped up. They know that President Trump will be back at the golf course tonight to make a speech."

The new 'silent majority'

Later Tuesday, another group demonstrators rallied against the former president, holding signs that said "Lock Him Up" and "Do the Crime, Do the Time."

Corinne Simmons of Short Hills organized the anti-Trump protest and feels that most people support the investigation into the former president.

"I believe that we are actually a silent majority," Simmons said. "I believe there are more people who are on the side of justice and support the Department of Justice and believe that this president will be tried and convicted.

"I believe not enough people are following their conscience and making their presence known," Simmons said. "I think they think someone else is gonna do it. And I think you have to vote with your feet."

Quiet, disrupted

Moments like these are in contrast to most days in Bedminster, a quiet town in Somerset County. With a population of more that 8,000 residents, Trump has been the main reason why the town has had the spotlight on it.

Trump is expected to speak at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster Tuesday night, where he will give remarks criticizing the case against him and attempt to boost his status in the race for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination.

Email: sdimaggio@mycentraljersey.com

This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: Trump speech: Supporters protest indictment in Bedminster NJ