Speaking to a crowd of thousands of MAGA faithful in Aurora, Colorado, Donald Trump announced a new illegal immigrant operation named after the city.
‘Operation Aurora’ will target the notorious Venezuelan transnational criminal gang Tren De Aragua.
Trump delivered the new political goal while standing next to blown-up photos of several of the gang members detained by the Aurora Police Department.
A video from August shows several of the illegal immigrants openly carrying a rifle and handguns through an Aurora apartment complex without fear of retaliation while threatening tenants.
Just after the video was recorded, a 25-year-old man was shot and killed in the complex. At least one gang member was reportedly part of the armed group.
Trump said Friday that Operation Aurora would act as a gang member elimination program by invoking the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 “to target and dismantle all illegal immigrant criminal networks operating on American soil.”
Former President Donald Trump, Republican presidential candidate, arrives at a campaign rally at the Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center, Friday, Oct. 11, 2024, in Aurora, Colorado. Mugshots of TDA gang members were used as stage props.
However, it is currently unclear how the plan would differ from current policies that allow the United States to root out violent criminals.
The former president continued to talk about the “immigration crime” enabled by Joe Biden and Kamala Harris’ immigration policies inspired the creation of his campaign plan.
‘What are they doing to Colorado? “They are ruining their state,” Trump began. ‘I will rescue Aurora…I will make Colorado safe again!’
The former president then specifically criticized Harris for allowing immigrants to enter the United States.
“And she has resettled them in her community… to prey on innocent Americans because that’s what they’re doing.”
He then launched into claims about local immigrant gangs.
‘Several apartment buildings have been taken over by the violent Venezuelan prison gang Tren De Aragua… they are a savage gang, the worst in the world.’
“They held the tenants at gun and knife point,” Trump said. ‘Where do they get these weapons?’
“The illegal foreign gang member behind the Aurora invasion was recently accused of beating a man beyond recognition,” Trump continued, adding that the leader shot people and broke bones “just for fun.”
Trump spoke about how a mother of three left her Aurora apartment fearing for her children’s lives.
Signs are on stage before Republican presidential candidate former US President Donald Trump speaks at a rally at the Gaylord Rockies Resort and Convention Center on October 11, 2024 in Aurora, Colorado. Trump campaigns in key states ahead of Nov. 5 presidential election
Some local officials, however, have rejected claims that Venezuelan gang members have invaded the city.
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis called the idea that immigrants have invaded Aurora “imagination.” Similarly, then-interim Aurora Police Department Chief Heather Morris denied that a gang had invaded any apartment complex.
But Aurora Mayor Mike Coffman admitted in late August that “this is an organized crime initiative.”
Colorado residents interviewed by DailyMail.com at the rally, including some Aurora locals, also said there have been safety issues with migrants.
The story about immigrants in Aurora has long fascinated Trump since the claims were made late this summer.
Aurora police announced the arrest of a TDA member on September 26.
Heartbreaking new images appear to capture the moment an armed Venezuelan gang took control of an apartment complex in Aurora, Colorado.
“A group of very tough young thugs from Venezuela were seen in Aurora, Colorado taking over large areas, including buildings,” Trump said on the Lex Freidman Podcast on September 3. “They’re taking over buildings. They have their big rifles.
Speaking to a crowd in New York weeks ago, the former president promised to visit the Denver suburb.
“You may never see me again, but that’s okay,” he joked at the time. “I have to do what I have to do.”
Keeping his promise on Friday, Trump appeared to massive applause.
However, Trump is unlikely to win Colorado with the trip, as Harris has a commanding lead in the state, recent polls show.
Although it was emblematic of his priority on immigration during his campaign.