President Trump campaigns with Bruce Blakeman as he looks to boost Republicans ahead of midterms

President Trump headed to Long Island Friday to campaign with Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, whom he has endorsed for governor of New York. 

Mr. Trump was greeted by hundreds of well-wishers inside Nassau County's Mack Center for Training and Intelligence as he touted a national drop in violent crime.

"Hochul and the radical left stand with the gang members, child predators, violent felons. We stand with hard-working New Yorkers," he said.

Trump's message was "Make America Safe Again" under Blakeman.

"Thank you, President Trump, and God bless you for everything you do," Blakeman said. "We appreciate you. Keep going!"

Trump's appearance could help the Republicans seeking to unseat Democratic Congress Members Tom Suozzi and Laura Gillen.

His tough-on-crime stance is taking a page from Lee Zeldin's 2022 playbook. He came within six points of defeating Hochul, largely by arguing she was weak on crime.

Blakeman talked about his success in lowering crime by work with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.

"Kathy Hochul and Zohran Mamdani, they said that our agreement with ICE was cruel," he said.

At one point, the president paused his speech and left the stage to embrace the parents of Jacob Freytes. The 12-year-old was killed by a stray bullet while on his way to the store in the Bronx last month.

Meanwhile, a free speech area for protesters was set up across from Nassau Community College. Hochul's running mate, Adrienne Adams, led a rally.

"We are here today to send a message ... to Donald Trump and all of his MAGA enablers. New Yorkers do not want any part of their hateful agenda," Adams said.

"We don't want a war in Iran. We don't want high gas prices. We don't want unaffordability with regard to housing," community leader Fred Brewington said.

"We are here representing hundreds of people who feel the same way, who can't afford the basics," New York State Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages said.

In Buffalo, Hochul claimed she had spent nearly $4 billion to reduce crime across the state by 10%.

The president is looking to boost Republicans in battleground races ahead of the November midterms, but his critics are saying his presence may do more harm than good, as his ratings show lagging approval.  

"Having Trump coming in says to those voters, 'Hey, this is my guy," said Lawrence Levy, dean of Hofstra National Center for Suburban Studies. "By the same token, Trump's very low approval rating is a millstone around Blakeman's neck."

Political expert J.C. Polanco says his vote-pulling strength, however, could not only help Blakeman but hurt Suozzi and Gillen as they seek reelection.

"He is a turnout machine. His favorables are terrible," Polanco said. "The issues that Donald Trump focuses on – immigration in public safety, when he talks about cutting taxes and pushing back on socialism – they are very, very high."

"If it's going to bring some form of aid to the county, I'm all for it," one person said.

"It's very good to have an endorsement by Trump, especially in Nassau County," one Long Island resident said.

Meanwhile, road closures and disruptions lasted hours through Uniondale, Mineola and Garden City.

"We have a tremendous amount of police presence. We are working very closely with the Secret Service to make sure that this is a safe event for everybody, not just the president, but all those who are attending and everybody who lives or works in the surrounding area," Blakeman said ahead of the event.