Trump contests legal system in front of backers in Waco, Texas.

WACO, Texas (AP) — Facing a possible criminal case against him, Donald Trump struck a defiant stance Saturday before supporters at a political rally in Waco, where he spoke disparagingly of prosecutors investigating him and he reiterated his demands in a city made famous by an episode of deadly resistance against the forces of law.

With one hand placed over his heart, Trump stood solemnly as their rally began with a song called “Justice for All” performed by a chorus of people who were imprisoned for their involvement in the assault on the federal Capitol on January 6, 2021.

Some images of the insurrection were broadcast on giant screens installed in the place while the choir sang the national anthem and a recording of Trump was heard reciting the Pledge of Allegiance (“pledge of allegiance and service to the United States flag”).

The extraordinary display marked Trump’s first political move toward winning the 2024 Republican presidential nomination. He later delivered a resentful speech, describing the investigations against him, including by a grand jury in New York, as political attacks. against him and his sympathizers.

“You will be vindicated and you will be proud,” Trump said. “The ruffians and criminals who are corrupting our justice system will be defeated, discredited, and discredited.”

Trump’s meeting on the airport grounds in Waco is part of the former president’s efforts to use the possible criminal case against him as a rallying cry to stay with his supporters as the favorite for the Republican nomination in the expected internal Republican process You will have many contenders.

The political act took place a day after Trump hinted that a specter of violence is not ruled out if he becomes the first ex-president to face criminal charges in US history.

Trump has pleaded not guilty in the Manhattan inquiry into which he silenced porn actress Stormy Daniels during the 2016 election so she would not speak publicly about a sexual encounter she said she had with him years earlier. The grand jury handling the case is scheduled to meet again on Monday.

Trump said the Manhattan federal prosecutor was investigating him “for something that is not a crime, not a misdemeanor, not a sentimental relationship.”