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Trump Visits Harlem Bodega
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Trump Visits Harlem Bodega

On Tuesday, former President Donald Trump made a visit to a bodega in Hamilton Heights, upper Manhattan, where a worker had fatally stabbed an ex-con last year. Trump's visit came at a time when he was in New York for his criminal trial. He received a hero's welcome from the crowd of supporters who chanted his name and sang the Star Spangled Banner as he arrived at the bodega.

The incident in question involved Jose Alba, who was charged with murder after fatally stabbing Austin Simon in July 2022. Simon had attempted to attack Alba, climbing over the counter during a violent robbery. Alba, who worked at the convenience store, retaliated by reaching for a knife from a shelf. The case gained widespread attention as it was seen as a prime example of Democrats being soft on crime. However, the charges against Alba were eventually dropped by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, who has faced severe criticism from Trump for his handling of the case.

After his charges were dropped, Alba left New York for the Dominican Republic. He returned for a House-Senate Judiciary Committee hearing last year, but it is unclear if he was present for Trump's visit to the bodega on Tuesday. During the visit, Trump took aim at Bragg and his perceived role in being soft on crime. He declared that the city needs to 'stop crime' and that 'police should be given back their authority.' He also criticized the influx of migrants and terrorists into the country, blaming it on President Biden.

Trump was warmly received by the store's owners, who shared their concerns over the rising crime in their neighborhood. Maad Ahmed, the owner, told Trump that he never voted before but will be supporting him in the next election due to his stance on law and order. Ahmed, who emigrated from Yemen, also spoke about the hard time his employee, Alba, had gone through due to the incident. According to Ahmed, Simon had provoked Alba and the case should have been seen as self-defense.

The Alba case sparked intense debate over self-defense laws and procedures in criminal cases. Multiple videos of the incident showed Simon and his girlfriend starting a fight with Alba over a pack of chips. The girlfriend, who had a knife, was never charged, while Alba faced murder charges. The case led to immense backlash against Bragg, who eventually dropped the charges due to lack of evidence. Trump has seized on this case as an example of why he believes Democrats are soft on crime.

Outside the bodega, Trump also took the opportunity to address his ongoing criminal trial, which he claims is an attempt at 'election interference.' According to him, the case is being pushed by fake prosecutors who are trying to persecute him. Despite the ongoing legal proceedings, Trump remains confident and has even stated that his campaign is 'making a big play for New York.' He received a warm welcome from the crowd of children outside the bodega, showing that he still has a significant following in the city.

Trump's visit to the bodega has once again highlighted the deep divide between him and the Democrats when it comes to issues of law and order. It also serves as a reminder of the ongoing criminal trial against him and the growing divide in the country's political scene. Despite this, he was still able to garner significant support among the crowd in the traditionally Democrat-heavy city of New York. Only time will tell the impact of this visit on both his legal battle and his potential future in politics.

Written by Arthur Higgens - April 17, 2024