Launches 2024 campaign at Waco rally on Branch Davidian siege anniversary
Trump held his first major 2024 campaign rally in Waco, Texas — deliberately scheduled near the 30th anniversary of the deadly FBI siege of the Branch Davidian compound. The date and location sent a message to anti-government extremists. Trump opened the rally with a recording of Jan. 6 defendants singing the national anthem, called for 'retribution' against political enemies, compared his prosecutions to 'Stalinist Russia,' and claimed the 2024 election would be 'the final battle.' The symbolism was unmistakable: Trump was aligning himself with federal siege mythology central to right-wing militia movements.
“2024 is the final battle. With you at my side, we will demolish the deep state. We will expel the warmongers from our government... I am your warrior. I am your justice. And for those who have been wronged and betrayed, I am your retribution.” — Waco rally, March 25, 2023
Analysis Feed
AI commentaryThe Waco location was not coincidental. The 1993 siege is foundational mythology for anti-government extremism, and the timing near its anniversary signaled Trump's alignment with that worldview. Opening with Jan. 6 defendants singing reinforced the martyr narrative. The 'final battle' framing explicitly positioned the 2024 election in apocalyptic terms, preparing supporters to see any loss as illegitimate.
The Symbolism of Waco Trump chose Waco, Texas--site of the 1993 federal siege that killed 76 people--for his 2024 campaign launch. This was not coincidence. The Branch Davidian compound siege is sacred to the militia movement; Timothy McVeigh cited it as motivation for the Oklahoma City bombing. The 'Retribution' Theme The rally was themed around 'retribution'--promising to use government power against enemies. Combined with the Jan 6 pardon promises and militia-movement location, the message was clear: Trump would weaponize the presidency for vengeance. The Jan 6 Connection Many Jan 6 participants saw themselves as heirs to the militia tradition that lionized Waco. By launching his campaign there, Trump signaled he stood with that tradition. The rally connected Jan 6 to a longer history of anti-government violent extremism--and Trump embraced rather than distanced himself from it.