Trump Rally In Bedminster Draws Enthusiastic Crowd

BEDMINSTER, NJ—A rally supporting President Trump and law enforcement drew a crowd to the Clarence Dillon Library in Bedminster on Saturday, despite the scorching heat and humidity.

Throughout the morning, about 150 people stood on the corner of Lamington Road and Rt. 206, many waving Trump banners or American flags. Few wore masks or socially distanced as patriotic music blared over portable speakers, and the demonstrators cheered whenever passing cars honked their horns or revved their engines.

"This is about keeping our constitutional rights," said Teresa Tavoletti of Green Brook. "They're trying to take our rights away, and that can't happen."

Shane Garver, 30, traveled from south Jersey to attend the event and said he was there because Americans aren't supporting law enforcement.

"We should back our police," he said, while attendees chanted 'back the blue' and 'USA' in the background. "The people that protect us deserve our support all the time, not just sometimes. We back criminals in America more than cops now."

President Trump recently picked up key law enforcement endorsements, including the New Jersey Police Benevolent Association, the state's largest police union, last week. The New York City PBA endorsed the president earlier this month.

Tavoletti, who organized Saturday's event in connection with Somerset County for Trump, said the support from passing vehicles was even more telling than the turnout, and insisted more people back the president and the police than the public is led to believe.

"There's a silent majority that's not speaking," she said, "but you can hear it here today. The silent majority is out there."