(Bloomberg) -- President Donald Trump commemorated the 75th anniversary of Japan’s surrender to end World War II with a speech in front of a Navy battleship where he invoked his law-and-order campaign theme criticizing “violent mobs” protesting police brutality.
“American warriors did not defeat fascism and oppression overseas only to watch our freedoms be trampled by violent mobs here at home,” Trump said Wednesday in Wilmington, North Carolina. “We stopped those violent mobs, very easily.”
Trump’s remarks came a day after he lauded police and National Guard members in Kenosha, Wisconsin, where the shooting of a Black man by police last month has reignited national protests against racial inequality and street violence the president has sought to blame on Democrats. Trump has been increasingly calling for crackdowns against sometimes violent demonstrations as he trails challenger Democrat Joe Biden in polls ahead of November election.
North Carolina is a crucial battleground in November’s presidential election, with the president leading Biden by a single percentage point in the state’s RealClearPolitics polling average. Trump won North Carolina’s 15 electoral votes by 3.7% in 2016 and would be hard pressed to win re-election if Biden flips the state this year.
USS North Carolina
Trump delivered his remarks in front of the USS North Carolina, a battleship that took part in missions in both the Atlantic and Pacific theaters, his latest event staged to evoke patriotic and nationalistic themes.
Trump spoke from Mount Rushmore to mark the Fourth of July and gave his Republican National Convention speech from the South Lawn of the White House. Vice President Mike Pence delivered his convention remarks from Fort McHenry in Baltimore, where the “Star Spangled Banner” was penned.
White House officials said Wilmington was selected because of its role in the war, serving as a major shipbuilding hub. Trump said he was designating Wilmington as the first American World War II Heritage City. “We celebrate our heroes, we cherish our heritage,” Trump said.
“There’s not a political purpose in this visit,” White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said. “This president is visiting it to commemorate a great site in American history.”
Trump didn’t directly mention Biden in his remarks Wednesday. But he appeared to take a subtle jab by referring to his challenger’s age.
While addressing World War II veteran Woody Williams, Trump said: “You are amazing. I promised him I would not tell that he’s 97 years old. I promised. And I’ll tell you, he’s 100% sharp. He’s 100% sharp. I know a 78-year-old that’s not so sharp.” Trump added: “Seventy eight’s young -- depends who’s 78, that’s all.”
Biden is 77 and Williams is 96.
Trump also criticized Mayor Ted Wheeler of Portland, Oregon, a Democrat, over violent protests in the city. He said protesters “only know one thing and that’s strength. That’s all they know. Strength. And we have strength.”
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