The mayor of Aurora, Colorado, is eager to welcome former President Donald Trump this Friday amid recent headlines about Venezuelan gang activity in the area. Mayor Mike Coffman views the visit as a chance to clarify some of the “exaggerated” stories surrounding the gang’s influence on the city.
Trump, who announced his rally after criticizing Vice President Kamala Harris’ border policies, has labeled Aurora a “war zone” due to rising crime concerns tied to migrant gangs. The Republican presidential candidate often highlights this narrative to illustrate what he perceives as failures of the current administration.
“This visit provides an opportunity to show both Trump and the nation that Aurora is a safe city – not a hotspot for Venezuelan gangs,” Coffman stated, adding that he remains open to a tour with Trump and a meeting with local law enforcement.
Much of the current discourse stems from a viral video depicting violence at an apartment complex, which led to claims that gang members from Tren de Aragua (TdA) had taken control of the area. Trump previously commented on the situation, noting that criminal elements can exploit migrant communities.
JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images
In response to rising concerns, Aurora’s police department recently identified ten members of the gang who had allegedly caused disturbances over the months. However, Mayor Coffman insists that the fears surrounding gang activity have been overstated, with incidents confined to a few specific apartment buildings within the city of over 400,000 residents.
Initially originating as a prison gang in Venezuela, the TdA has since expanded into human trafficking and other crimes against desperate migrants. As discourse around Aurora has intensified, Trump has shifted some of his focus to Springfield, Ohio, where he made unfounded claims regarding Haitian immigrants. Local officials have consistently refuted these accusations.
Despite backlash from local leaders, Trump has expressed intent to visit both Aurora and Springfield, but plans for Ohio have since been scrapped. The upcoming rally in Aurora at the Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center at 1 p.m. MDT will redirect attention back to the city.
Trump’s campaign emphasized the need for stricter border policies, stating, “Kamala’s border bloodbath has made every state a border state, leaving Colorado families vulnerable to criminal activity. The key to addressing the border crisis is electing Trump, who vows to secure borders and deport dangerous criminals.”