DALLAS – A sea of red filled the American Airlines Center in Dallas yesterday for President Donald Trump’s political rally, where he dragged the impeachment inquiry through the mud, emphasized economic growth seen under his leadership, and declared Texas will remain a Republican state for the 2020 Presidential Election.

“Texas is not in play,” Trump said.

According to Trump, the impeachment inquiry against him comes from “crazy” Democrats who remain angry about the 2016 Presidential Election and are trying to change its results now.

“[The impeachment inquiry] is a total waste of time, it’s a hoax,” attendee Neil Johnston said. “They have not found anything unlawful that [Trump] has done.”

Trump heavily condemned House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and presidential candidate Beto O’Rourke, who was holding a counter-rally in Grand Prairie at the same time. He criticized the Democrats about their “endless wars”, as well as about their support for gun control and open borders. In particular, he noted his disapproval of California offering free healthcare to illegal immigrants.

“I’m very strong-minded about building the wall; I believe in legal immigration,” Lubbock resident Lu-Anne Peaslee, who traveled six hours for the rally, said. “My family is from South Texas; we have always seen people cross over, just because we’re so close to the Mexican border, but there’s a right way and a wrong way. Everyone in my family who came over, they came over the legal way. Why are we treating that crime any different than we would somebody who robbed a bank, or somebody who fought somebody? A crime’s a crime. It’s not ever right. People are taking the laws and bending them to meet whatever political criteria they’re looking for.”

According to Peaslee, she has many personal experiences that contribute to her support for Trump. As a 20-year paramedic, a member of Texas Tech University’s nursing program and a mother of four, Peaslee is often vocal about her pro-life viewpoints.

“I know when there’s a heartbeat, when I feel the baby kicking, and that’s a life,” Peaslee said. “It’s not just something random in there. I am 100% against abortions, especially late-term; there’s no excuse for it, that is essentially murder. If we’re going to hold the citizens of this country accountable for murder, why are we not holding these doctors ripping babies out of the womb for murder?”

Coming from a family of veterans, as far back as her grandfather being in World War II, she also appreciates Trump’s healthcare policies aiding veterans.

The rally’s attendees spanned all ages, from high school students to adults with their children. El Centro College student Rebecca Slough came decked out in a Trump-supporting hat and jacket, like many others.

“I’m a Trump supporter because he does what he says he’s going to do,” Slough said. “My favorite part of the rally was when he talked about teaching kids to respect their nation and to learn to love their nation, not to learn to hate their history because of things that happened in the past.”

Trump emphasized that minorities’ unemployment rates are lower than ever under his leadership and that Hispanic Americans now have a median income of more than $50,000. Furthermore, he explained how he has made the United States the world’s No. 1 producer of oil.

After discussing his administration’s numerous accomplishments, Trump finished by calling his supporters to re-elect him next year.

“One of the things that’s really important is my kids getting first-hand knowledge of what an election is about – listening to the candidates, what they have to say, coming out and seeing for themselves instead of taking it at face-value that what people are saying is true,” Peaslee said. “That’s why they’re here today, they’re getting hands-on education. It’s been pretty amazing and pretty eye-opening for them.”

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