Trump files in NH, predicts romp to victory
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Oct. 23—Donald Trump became the first current or former president to file candidacy papers in person at the State House Monday afternoon and predicted he would again romp to the Republican nomination.
"Less than four months from now, we are going to win the New Hampshire primary and we are going to defeat Crooked Joe Biden," Trump said.
During a tightly choreographed visit, Trump pumped the hands of supporters lining the hallways before arriving in Secretary of State David Scanlan's office, flanked by his New Hampshire inner circle that's been with him since his first run in 2016.
"This is a pretty historic day, isn't it?" Trump asked Scanlan when told no other president had made an appearance as he did.
Across the street, about a hundred protesters held signs, led by maverick presidential candidate Vermin Supreme, wearing his signature boot on his head as he used a megaphone to taunt Trump.
"C'mon out of your limo, little Donnie," Supreme called.
Later, Trump opened a well-attended rally at the New England Sports Center in Derry with another salute to Granite State voters.
"Our victory here in 2016 rocketed us to the Republican nomination and New Hampshire will always have a very special place in my heart," Trump said.
Trump told reporters there is no longer any one major threat against him winning the nomination. He insisted that Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis's support will continue to plummet.
Gov. Chris Sununu will be campaigning with DeSantis at several New Hampshire stops Tuesday.
"The spirit is greater than it ever was in 2016 and in 2020," Trump said.
With nine candidates now running to be U.S. House speaker, Trump said he's no longer taking sides after his choice, Ohio Congressman Jim Jordan failed to reach a winning threshold on any of three ballots.
"There's only one person right now who could go all the way. Know who that person is? Jesus Christ," Trump quipped.
Attacks Biden on Israel, Ukraine
At the rally, Trump criticized President Biden's $106 billion aid package in response to Hamas attacks and hostage taking in Israel.
"Crooked Joe went before the American people and said that if you want to support Israel, then you have to give him a blank check for his proxy war with Russia in Ukraine," Trump said.
He questioned Biden's commitment to Israel.
"And unlike Crooked Joe, I will fully support Israel's mission of ensuring that the terrorist group Hamas is defeated, dismantled and permanently destroyed," Trump said.
Trump said he would reimpose deep sanctions against Iran and make America safer with a more muscular foreign policy.
"To every American who is terrified that Crooked Joe's weakness will cause catastrophic global conflict, I will make you this promise as your President: I will restore peace through strength, and I will prevent World War III," Trump said.
Trump claimed America's very survival depends upon him defeating Biden in 13 months.
"Our once great country is in a giant mess and you just have to take a look at Europe to see what happens if we don't win," Trump said.
In rebuttal hours before Trump filed his papers in Concord, rival Republican candidate Nikki Haley's campaign attacked him over unpaid bills for police security during visits to New Hampshire.
The Haley campaign maintains the Trump camp owes Manchester $12,870 and Concord $3,840 that local taxpayers could have to pick up.
A Raw Story investigative piece reported Trump's campaign often has failed to pay for local or state police details, while Haley's campaign has picked up those costs.
"The Trump campaign has more than enough money to reimburse police for providing security at the few events he holds," said Haley spokesman Ken Farnaso.
"It's ridiculous to stiff law enforcement and ultimately stick taxpayers with the bill. Nikki Haley wants to make sure police and their families are paid. Apparently, Donald Trump doesn't care."
Sen. Maggie Hassan, D-N.H., said Trump was a divider that Americans should again reject in 2024.
"At a time when our country confronts significant problems at home and around the world, and when our global leadership is as indispensable as ever, we need to be united. But Trump is incapable of bringing us together," Hassan said during a press call Monday with Democratic Party Chairman Raymond Buckley.
"We are the Live Free or Die state: We have no use for a man who would overturn our elections or praise dictators. I know that as Granite Staters and Americans, we will reject Trump and we will win next November."
