Trump warns Democrats he might pack Supreme Court if GOP holds White House and Senate

Donald Trump responded to some Democrats warning they might “pack” the Supreme Court if they win the White House and Senate - by saying Republicans should do just that if they hold onto power in November’s elections.

"I guess we could do that too, right? We could do that too,” the president said during a campaign rally in Jacksonville as he courted voters in the key swing state of Florida.

The president issued the warning during a rally in which he mostly played his greatest campaign trail hits, though he did go after Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden at several points as they battle over the crucial swing state. He alleged he has done more to help Americans since taking office than the former vice president and longtime Delaware senator did “in 47 years in Washington.” Mr Trump also garnered laughter and cheers as he dropped more racially-tinged rhetoric, and stretched the truth with his claims about a list of issues. 

Mr Trump criticized federal agents who were skeptical about his 2016 campaign, telling the crowd: “Remember, they are coming after me because they’re really coming after you.”

He fired up the audience early on by touting the Pentagon budget and weapons-buying record under his watch.

"We've taken out so many bad ones,” Mr Trump said of older combat platforms. “We've never had weapons like this," he added, saying he hopes he never has to use them.

He got a big cheer when he said, despite the federal government lacking the power to make curriculum decisions, his administration is installing “patriotic education” in America’s schools after warning Democrats are pushing “anti-American” lessons on school children.

The president, who has mocked reporters and even some with physical challenges at campaign rallies, openly mocked MSNBC’s Ali Velshi. The reporter was hit by a canister of tear gas while covering a protest. The Jacksonville crowd laughed, like one did last week, as Mr Trump told his version of what happened.

He hit the road amid the latest controversy of his presidency after Mr Trump told reporters on Wednesday night he might not ensure a peaceful transfer of power if he loses in November.

The president told reporters as he left the White House, to do so, he must deem the election an “honest” one, warning again that unverified mail-in ballots are “a whole big scam.”

“We want to make sure that the election is honest and I’m not sure that it can be,” he said earlier Thursday.

‘We’re not losing Florida’

But his supporters in Florida, many of those standing on a riser behind him wearing red and blue masks with “MAGA” in large white block letters, appeared unfazed by what Democrats said is the president’s attempts to undermine the election results.

They laughed and cheered when he delivered another attack line on Minnesota Democratic Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, contending: “I think she has hatred for our country." Last Friday at a rally in her home state, he charged Mr Biden would “flood” it with Somali refugees who would crash the economy; Ms Omar was born in Mogadishu, its capital.  

He made bold claims, like saying in a second term he would make the United States the world’s “manufacturing superpower,” while ignoring the fact he has failed to do so over the last four years even though it was a 2016 campaign pledge.

Air Force One touched down in Florida for another airport campaign rally as he and Mr Biden jockey for its 29 Electoral College votes.

Some GOP strategists say Mr Trump cannot win a second term without taking the Sunshine State. He would be unable to reach the 270 needed to defeat Mr Biden, they say.

But Mr Trump, citing the crowd at the airport and other rally crowds recently, sees a win there in just over a month. “We’re not losing Florida,” he predicted. “You can just feel it.”  

‘Vote him out’

Before landing in Jacksonville, the president made a stop – ostensibly an official one – in an other battleground state: North Carolina. There, he announced three executive actions he claimed will protect Americans with pre-existing conditions even if the Supreme Court shoots down Obamacare and two others. However, administration officials on Thursday acknowledged with the executive action, even if the Supreme Court strikes down Obamacare, the White House would have to work with Congress on a new health care system.

Mr Trump’s day began in embarrassing fashion.

As he and First Lady Melania Trump stood atop the steps of the Supreme Court, he heard from his opponents.

First, they booed.

Then, the chanted “vote him out!” as he stood motionless wearing a dark blue mask. A few seconds later, the first couple returned inside the high court before returning to the White House.

Always eager to, as they say at this White House, “fight back,” press secretary Kayleigh McEnany later fired back: “Everyone has a First Amendment in this country, but I thought it was an appalling and disrespectful thing to do while the president was honouring Justice Ginsburg.”