Former President Donald Trump ventured into strong Democrat territory on Tuesday when he visited a Harlem bodega, but the New York City crowd gave him a reception that he will not soon forget — and it must have shaken Democrats to the core.
A boisterous crowd erupted in cheers for the 45th president and chanted “four more years!”
Trump paid the visit to the Sanaa Convenient Store, which was formerly known as the Blue Moon Convenient Store. He met with co-owner Maad Ahmed and small business advocate Francisco Marte to discuss a violent incident that unfolded in July 2022.
Widespread outrage ensued when store clerk Jose Alba was hit with a murder charge in an obvious case of self-defense. A convicted criminal was seen on video jumping the counter and attacking Alba.
But the worker fought back and stabbed his attacker to death. This led to the shocking charge from radical progressive Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, who was pressured into dropping the indictment due to public indignation.
🚨Trump leaves black supporters in Harlem with inspiring message after making suprise visit to bodega pic.twitter.com/C6AtJyjFwg
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) April 16, 2024
Trump told the bodega workers that they have every right to defend themselves. “You should be allowed to have a gun. If you had a gun, you’d never get robbed, you’d never get robbed, that would be the end of it.”
The co-owner appeared to appreciate Trump’s remarks, declaring that the criminal element would “respect the store” if he was known to be armed. Ahmed said he would follow the suggestion and apply for a permit to legally carry.
Rich Cardinale, Alba’s former attorney, cautioned that using a weapon for self-defense in New York City would likely land the bodega owner behind bars. “If you use a gun and you’re defending yourself lawfully, you will go to jail.”
Though the charges against Alba were eventually dropped after the public outcry, the employee remained troubled by the incident. He ultimately decided to move back to his native Dominican Republic where at last report he remains.
Ahmed explained to the presumptive Republican nominee that the infamous bodega still has an ongoing issue with violent crime. This obviously did not sit well with Trump, who made his mark upholding the rule of law.
He asked, “What do you do? Isn’t it crazy? Is it almost a way of doing business, you getting robbed?”
