Trump praises his record at rally in Toledo

TOLEDO — President Donald Trump bragged about his record Thursday, defending his decision to kill an Iranian general and denouncing Democrats as "horrible people" and extremists. Trump spoke to a rally before a crowd of 9,000 in the Huntington Center in Toledo. Members of the crowd, many wearing red MAGA hats, loudly chanted "USA, USA," as the president spoke, booing loudly when he denounced Democrats. The president said the rally was his first of the year. His speech was interrupted briefly by a protest. Trump spent much of his speech defending his decision to kill Iranian general Qasem Soleimani."We seek friends, not enemies. But if you dare to threaten our citizens, you do so at your own grave peril," Trump said. "We took bold and decisive action.""Soleimani spread death and destruction and mayhem across the Middle East," he said. The president also praised his domestic record, saying the economy is doing well and healthcare for veterans has improved. "Economically, the country's the strongest it's ever been," he said. Trump said he is replacing his 2016 slogan, "Make America great again," with a new one, "Keep America great.""We have a lot of support. You know why? It's because our country is doing so well," Trump said. Trump attacked several of his potential Democratic opponents, referring to Sen. Elizabeth Warren as "Pocahontas" and claiming that Hunter Biden made "millions and millions of dollars" after Joe Biden became vice president. Trump said if Biden is the nominee, "He will hear 'Where's Hunter?' every single debate."The president denounced Democrats for allegedly supporting illegal immigration, claiming, "Democrats stand for crime, corruption and chaos." He also tied Democrats to "late-term abortions" and "socialism."Democrats greeted Trump by holding a press conference in Toledo Thursday morning to "call out Trump's broken promises," arguing that Ohio has lost more than 4,000 jobs since January 2019 and that Ohio was one of eight states in which the number of uninsured people rose in 2018.U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur, D-Toledo, penned an open letter to Trump, writing, "As America falls deeper into financial debt and our budget and trade deficits soar at your hand, communities like Toledo are forced to sacrifice the most. With our labor and tax dollars, we pay the greater interest payments to foreign lenders who keep our nation financially afloat, even while our bedrock manufacturing jobs are pulled out from under us and sent to penny wage countries.""This week, you put our sons and daughters in harm's way when you abandoned diplomacy, rejected our allies, and escalated conflict in the Middle East and around the world," she continued. "It causes one to wonder if anyone from the Trump family has ever served in the U.S. military or in a foreign war."The Trump supporters in the crowd included Thomas Hetrick, 49, of Toledo. "I've always been a big fan," he said. "When I was in high school, I did a report on him."During his warmup speech, Vice President Mike Pence praised Trump for the assassination of Iranian general Qasem Soleimani. "That is what leadership looks like," Pence said. And under Trump's leadership, "it's about jobs, jobs, jobs," he said. The speakers at the rally praising Trump included state Rep. D.J. Swearingen, R-Huron."I am honored President Trump's team asked me to speak at Thursday's rally," Swearingen said. "Keeping President Trump in office is a priority for 2020, and we are grateful the President wanted to come to Northwest Ohio to recognize his supporters."Swearingen told the crowd, "Republicans are embracing the interests of the American people first by valuing American jobs, American workers, and American businesses and pushing for a fair playing field for all."President Trump makes a point while speaking at a rally at the Huntington Center in Toledo. President Trump pauses as supporters hold up signs during a rally at the Huntington Center. Vice President Mike Pence speaks at a rally for Donald Trump in Toledo Thursday. Trump supporters cheer at a rally Thursday.