Trump: Dems would stymie economic progress

ELKHART, Ind. — Embracing the role of party leader, President Donald Trump issued a stern warning Thursday that Democrats would disrupt the economic progress of his administration as he implored fellow Republicans to mobilize behind a slate of Indiana candidates.

Trump used one of his signature rallies in northern Indiana to paint a rosy picture of his presidency, pointing to low unemployment, “booming” job growth and optimism under his watch. Two days after Indiana wrapped up a divisive Republican Senate primary, Trump praised a ticket of House and Senate candidates by name and predicted Democrats would dismantle his agenda if Nancy Pelosi, the current House minority leader, became House speaker.

“You have to work every day between now and November to elect more Republicans so that we can continue to make America great again,” Trump said, referencing his 2016 campaign slogan.

Chief among his targets: Indiana’s Democratic Sen. Joe Donnelly, who faces Republican businessman Mike Braun in one of the most competitive Senate campaigns. Trump branded Donnelly as “Sleepin’ Joe,” assailing him for opposing the president’s signature tax cuts and the president’s efforts to end the Affordable Care Act.

Trump said Donnelly would “do whatever Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi tell him to do.” Donnelly, Trump said, will “say one thing in Elkhart” and then support the “radical, liberal agenda. It never, ever fails.”