Trump reveals "Operation Aurora" to target "criminals from Venezuela"

• The former president has repeatedly and falsely suggested the Denver suburb has been taken over by the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua.

How it works: The Republican presidential nominee said he would "send elite squads of ICE, Border Patrol and federal law enforcement officers to hunt down, arrest and deport" undocumented gang members.

Why it matters: The plan is Trump's latest attempt to draw support by targeting immigrants.

• He again blamed President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, for allowing an influx of migrants to come to the U.S. since taking office.

Reality check: Colorado isn't in play for the former president, but he still drew thousands of rallygoers Friday.

• He encouraged people to vote for him, promising: "I'm going to make Colorado safe again."

Between the lines: On stage, Trump was flanked by photos of suspected Tren de Aragua members identified by Aurora police.

• He used dehumanizing language to describe immigrants, saying Aurora is "infected" by "gangs and thugs" coming from Venezuela.
• While Trump says migrants are responsible for crime spikes, data indicates that his claims are unfounded.

What they're saying: Speaker after speaker at Friday's rally warned about gang violence, referencing and alluding to Tren de Aragua, whose members have been identified and arrested locally.

• Onstage, Aurora City Councilmember Danielle Jurinsky repeated claims about gangs taking over apartment buildings — despite recently walking back false statements suggesting Tren de Aragua had "taken over" the city.

The intrigue: State Rep. Gabe Evans, the Republican candidate in the 8th Congressional District, spoke briefly at the rally Friday, suggesting he's fully aligning with the former president.

• Trump reiterated his endorsement of Evans, who's challenging Democratic U.S. Rep. Yadira Caraveo in the state's most competitive congressional race.