Former President Donald J. Trump on Saturday cast both his indictments by prosecutors and his bid for the White House as part of a “final battle” with “corrupt” forces that he maintained are destroying the country.

The apocalyptic language came in Trump’s first public appearance since the 38-count federal indictment against him and a personal aide was unsealed — and in a state where he may soon face additional charges for his efforts to pressure Georgia election officials to overturn his 2020 election loss there. It was Trump’s second indictment in less than three months.

“This is the final battle,” Trump said in the speech to several thousand activists, delegates and members of the media who gathered in Columbus, Georgia.

Trump spoke about the threats to the nation. But his escalating language also showed something more fundamental was in increasing jeopardy: his own freedom.

“Either the communists win and destroy America, or we destroy the communists,” the former President said in Georgia, seeming to refer to Democrats. He railed against “globalists”, “warmongers” in government and “the sick political class that hates our country”.

New York Times News Service