Donald Trump has described the numerous investigations into his actions as “straight out of the Stalinist Russia horror show”.
Mr Trump Speaking at his first campaign rally in Waco, Texas, on Saturday as he campaigns for the Republican presidential nomination.
He faces numerous legal threats, including allegations of campaign finance violations and mishandling of top-secret documents.
“It’s been witch hunt after witch hunt and bogus investigation from the beginning,” he said.
Mr. Trump visited Waco 30 years after federal agents raided the Branch Davidian religion.
Eighty-six people died that day, including four law enforcement officers.
A spokesman for the Trump campaign said Waco was chosen because of its location between several major population centers and the infrastructure to host large events.
But critics will say the choice is a nod to Trump’s far-right supporters, many of whom see the raid as an example of excessive government interference.
Mr Trump’s speech featured many of his usual themes – he blamed immigration for some of the country’s problems, insisted he could restore the US economy to previous levels, promised to save his country from “World War III” Saved from the 2020 election by repeating his false claim that his defeat in the 2020 election was due to fraud orchestrated by the Democrats.
He kicked off the rally by playing the song “Justice For All,” in which a group of people imprisoned for their role in the Jan. 6, 2021 U.S. Capitol riot sang the national anthem and recorded An audio recording of himself reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.
Footage of the uprising was also shown on the big screen.
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Mr Trump told the crowd that his enemies were “desperate to stop us” and that “our adversaries have done everything they can to destroy our spirit and our will”.
“But they failed,” he added.
“They just make us stronger.
“And 2024 is the last battle.
“It’s going to be a big deal.
“You put me back in the White House and their rule will end and America will be a free country again.”
The 76-year-old claimed that some American politicians were a greater threat to the United States than China or Russia, and said “demonic forces” were trying to destroy the country, which risked falling into the “abyss of lawlessness”.
“Either the deep state destroys America, or we destroy the deep state,” he said.
Mr. Trump faces stiff competition for the party’s nomination, with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis likely to challenge.
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On Saturday, he tried to downplay his possible opponent’s chances, saying, “I’m not a big fan,” and “Florida has been very successful for years, long before this guy [DeSantis] become governor”.
Mr. Trump is being investigated by Manhattan prosecutors for campaign finance violations over his alleged hush money payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 election.
Last week he warned of “death and ruin” if he was charged over the matter.
A special prosecutor is also investigating allegations that he hoarded top-secret documents and that he was behind a plot to overturn the 2020 election.