Former president

Donald

Trump choosing Waco, Texas, for his campaign’s first rally in 2024 Saturday will put him in the middle of a major Republican state that has reliably brought him large crowds.

It also won’t get him far from the grassy prairie where a 1993 standoff between U.S. law enforcement and Branch Davidians infamously resulted in the deaths of more than 80 members of the religious sect and four federal agents.

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the siege, which still carries deep symbolism and is still seen by survivors of the compound as an act of unwarranted government interference.

Trump, facing the possibility of becoming the first president in U.S. history to be impeached, hasn’t nodded to Waco’s past since he first announced the rally last week. Campaign spokesman Steven Cheung said the decision to hold the event at Waco Regional Airport was ideal because the city was centrally located and close to some of Texas’ largest cities.

A closer look at Waco’s history:

The impasse

Federal agents raided the compound about 10 miles east of Waco on February 28, 1993. They attempted to arrest cult leader David Koresh for carrying illegal weapons, but members of Branch Davidian were tipped off about the raid and a shootout ensued. Four officers and six Davidians were killed that day, leading to what would become a 51-day standoff.

As the weeks went on, federal authorities said they were increasingly concerned about the possible mistreatment of the Davidian children. Then, on April 19, 1993, after an FBI negotiator shouted over a loudspeaker that Koresh should lead his people out and be a messiah, not a destroyer, military vehicles began ramming the buildings and spraying tear gas inside.

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A few hours later, flames were already engulfing the site. Authorities said the Davidians died of suicide by lighting the fire and shooting themselves. Survivors have denied there was a suicide pact, saying military vehicles knocked over lanterns and started the blaze.

Nearly a dozen Davidians stood trial; all were acquitted of murder and conspiracy to commit murder charges. But five were convicted of voluntary manslaughter and gun possession, and three were convicted of gun possession.

The aftermath

Today, a white chapel on Mount Carmel on the site of the former compound attracts visitors who are greeted by a wall of stones inscribed with each victim’s name at the entrance to the property. In Waco, federal agents hold memorials each year on the anniversary of the deadly robbery, and Netflix has released a new documentary about the siege to coincide with the 30th anniversary.

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But for some far-right extremists and militia groups, the siege has become a touchstone over the decades, most notably the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing that happened on the same day two years after the raid. A Virginia man accused of joining the mob that stormed the U.S. Capitol allegedly told an undercover cop his ownership could change in Waco 2.0 “while raising concerns about new gun regulations, according to a file from a federal court.

Trump’s legal troubles

Trump is coming to Texas as New York prosecutors wrap up their investigation into whether Trump was involved in an illegal hush money scheme involving a porn actress. Trump, who has denied any sexual encounter with Stormy Daniels, raised the specter on his social media site of years of hatred, chaos and unrest as charges come.

He has long railed against federal law enforcement. When his Mar-a-Lago club was searched by the FBI last summer as part of an investigation into possible mishandling of classified documents, he broke the news by stating that his home was currently under siege, raid and occupation by a large group. from FBI agents.

Wake up today

The editors of the Houston Chronicle accused Trump of fanning Waco’s fire in a column published this week.

But there’s no question that Trump chose solid Republican territory in Waco, winning by more than 20 points around McClennan County in 2020. The city includes Baylor University, the nation’s largest Baptist university, and is the headquarters of “Fixer Upper” stars Chip and Joanna Gaines’ home decorating empire.

City officials this week said they were ready for the rally.

It’s a lot of eyes, national attention, said Jonathan Cook, Waco’s director of parks and recreation.

Associated Press reporter Jill Colvin contributed to this report.