Donald Trump returned to North Carolina on Wednesday for a high stakes rally in Gastonia, where he leaned heavily into law and order themes to bolster the campaign of Republican Senate candidate Michael Whatley. Speaking at an airport event, Trump spent much of his hour long address accusing Democrats of coddling criminals and blaming their policies for a rise in violent crime. To drive home his point, the former president utilized oversized screens displaying mug shots of unnamed suspects, framing the election as a stark choice between protecting citizens or letting dangerous individuals roam free under the leadership of opponent Roy Cooper.

The appearance marks Trump’s third visit to the state since December, highlighting how critical this specific seat is for Republican hopes of maintaining Senate control during his second term. While current Senator Thom Tillis is retiring, Michael Whatley finds himself fighting an uphill battle against Cooper, a former two term governor with significantly higher name recognition and a massive fundraising advantage. Recent polling suggests Cooper holds a double digit lead, making it essential for Whatley to leverage Trump’s popularity within the MAGA base to close the gap.

In a move that broke traditional political norms, Attorney General Todd Blanche appeared alongside Trump at the partisan event, further signaling the administration’s desire to tie its legal apparatus to its political goals. During his speech, Trump focused on emotional appeals, citing a stabbing death in Charlotte to paint Roy Cooper as part of a communist movement indifferent to public safety. Despite national polls showing that crime often ranks below inflation and healthcare in voter priorities, Republicans are betting that focusing on local security will create a winning vulnerability for the Democratic candidate.

Beyond crime, Trump addressed economic anxieties regarding rising gas prices following recent military actions involving Iran. He told the crowd that any spike in fuel costs was temporary and described future price drops as being like a rocket ship in reverse. Throughout the evening, Whatley positioned himself as a loyal ally necessary for Trump’s agenda, emphasizing his commitment to lowering costs and preserving what he called the American dream while relying on Trump’s star power to energize the electorate heading into November.