Former US President Donald Trump will hold his first campaign rally on Saturday in Waco, the scene of a confrontation between an anti-government group and federal security that killed him in 1993, as he faces a number of criminal investigations that threaten his bid to return to the White House.

Calling it his first major campaign rally for the 2024 presidential race, Trump called on his supporters to rally at an airport in Waco, Texas, and cheer him on as he tries to win the Republican nomination.

The city of Waco, Texas, is marking the 30th anniversary of a raid by federal agents on the Daoudi Branch religious sect there that killed 86 people, including 4 law enforcement personnel. Some far-right members see the raid as a defining moment in the government's excesses, and the city serves as a reference for them, singing their resistance to what they see as the government's excesses.

A Trump campaign spokesman said in an email that Waco was chosen because it is located between several major population centers and has the infrastructure to host a major event.

The political rally comes amid a wave of increasingly hostile rhetoric by Trump, who denounces a "witch hunt" by prosecutors he describes as "scum" who are pursuing him in cases in New York, Washington and Atlanta.

The Republican leader is expected to address 15,2016 supporters as he barricades himself against possible charges of paying a star to buy her silence on a sexual relationship, days before the <> election.

Trump, 76, who faced impeachment proceedings on charges of inciting insurrection last week, called on his supporters to protest against Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, and the former president expected to "be arrested" without providing proof.

A series of ongoing criminal investigations pose a growing legal threat to Trump. Among them is one in Manhattan accused of giving star Stormy Daniels money to buy her silence during his 2016 campaign to reach the White House.

Trump has sought to portray the Manhattan affair as politically motivated and used it to raise money and rally supporters, and on Friday issued a shocking warning that the country would see possible "death and destruction" if he was accused of a crime.


Violent chaos

Some of those who arrived in Waco from other states came excited to see Trump return to the Oval Office. Many wore baseball caps with the words "Maga," the short slogan "Make America Great Again," or waved banners in support of his campaign.

Kelly Heath, 49, who came from Georgia, said: "We have an overwhelming force behind Donald Trump that we haven't unleashed yet," adding: "You're going to be stunned."

Trump supporters went to the Waco Siege Monument, which commemorates about 80 people who died in the confrontation at a compound for David Koresh's followers after it was surrounded by federal agents in 1993.

Peter Christian, assistant pastor at the memorial site, said: "Waco is really the center of the national movement, the movement to help America get back to its roots. Empower citizens to have constitutional rights."

The Houston Chronicle published an article Thursday accusing Trump of holding his 30th anniversary rally as a "loud mouthpiece" for his extremist supporters.

Mary Trump, his critical niece, wrote on Twitter: "It's a hoax to remind his group of the infamous Waco siege of 1993, when an anti-government group fought the FBI."

"Dozens of people died. He wants the same violent acts of chaos to save him from justice."


Death and destruction

As Trump faces several investigations, he on Friday issued a warning about the consequences of an indictment, predicting the possibility of "death and destruction... It could be catastrophic for our country."

He noted that Prague, who is leading the investigation into payments to silence the actress, is "a degenerate psychopath who really hates the United States."

Observers say he deliberately ignored a request from his supporters that the demonstrations be peaceful this time.

Trump is believed to be the favorite by a wide margin to win the Republican nomination to run for president in 2024.

Other potential rivals, led by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, initially refrained from criticizing the former reality TV star, but have recently begun to criticize his personality and the ongoing scandals surrounding him.