Former President Donald Trump was back in North Carolina this weekend at an event in Wilmington where he announced a plan to end sanctuary cities. 

“No more sanctuary cities. As soon as I take office, we will immediately surge federal law enforcement to every city that is failing, which is a lot of them, to turn over criminal aliens and we will hunt down and capture every single gang member drug dealer, rapist, murderer, and migrant criminal that is being illegally harbored.” 

In North Carolina, Wake, Durham, Mecklenburg, Guilford, Forsyth, Orange, and Chatham counties do not currently honor ICE detainers according to a June report from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. On Friday, Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper vetoed H.B. 10 which would require sheriffs across the state to cooperate with ICE. 

Trump hit on major hot button issues in this year’s election during the rally Saturday on the coast. Trump promised a reduction in household goods prices, thousands of dollars in savings for American families, and cuts in energy costs. 

“We’re going to get your energy costs down in one year, by 50%, we’re gonna cut it in half,” proclaimed Trump. 

He also appealed to the younger generation, noting they would finally be able to afford a house and a mortgage, while continuing his proposal with no tax on tips, no tax on overtime and, no tax on social security. 

The September Carolina Journal Poll shows Inflation/Prices (29.8%), Immigration (15.9%), and Jobs/Economy (15.8%) are the top issues for North Carolina voters. 

Notably absent from the rally was Lt. Governor Mark Robinson, whom Trump had previously endorsed. This came after a CNN report revealed Robinson made controversial racial and sexual remarks on adult websites in the early 2000s. Although no speakers mentioned Robinson by name, Congressman Dan Bishop, a Republican candidate for attorney general, did allude to the report. 

“This week in North Carolina, Democrats suddenly abandoned their aversion to hack and dump, rolled out a meticulously timed and coordinated character assassination, and then moved immediately to smear by association,” said Bishop. “Their aim, they say, is to disgrace not just one but all Republican candidates.” 

The former President also ruled out the possibility of a 3rd debate, he told the crowd because early voting has already started in some states it doesn’t make sense. 

“I have already done two [debates], one with crooked Joe Biden at CNN, and the other with Kamala on ABC,” said Trump. “The problem with another debate is it’s just too late, voting has already started.”