PICKENS, S.C.—This tiny city of about 3,000 people burgeoned to more than ten times that size as throngs welcomed former President Donald Trump to a pre-July 4 celebration—possibly a once-in-a-lifetime event for residents.
A South Carolina newspaper, the Spartanburg Herald-Journal, said Police Chief Randall Beach estimated the crowd at 50,000 supporters; it was Trump’s first rally following his federal indictment in Florida last month.
Trump, in the July 1 speech, spent several minutes dissecting that case. He also promised to protect citizens’ freedom and the American way of life that they cherish.
“To all of you, I have your back,” he said to thousands of people who were jammed between vintage brick buildings along Main Street in 90-degree heat….}