CHARLOTTE, N.C. _ Speaking at his first campaign rally after shaking up his top campaign staff, Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump called for "law and order" and said he would "put the American people first again" at the Charlotte Convention Center on Thursday.
"We need law and order, and without it, we have nothing," said the real estate mogul, referring to recent unrest following police shootings in cities such as Milwaukee. "If I'm elected president, this chaos and violence will end, and it will end very, very quickly."
Trump also referred obliquely to past controversial statements he has made that have drawn unfavorable attention to his campaign, without mentioning specific incidents.
"Sometimes, in the heat of debate and speaking on a multitude of issues, you don't choose the right words, or you say the wrong thing," said Trump. "I have done that. And believe it or not, I regret it. And I do regret it, particularly where it may have caused personal pain."
There were many familiar features from previous Trump rallies, from "Lock her up!" chants to "Hillary for Prison" shirts. The crowd at one point chanted "Build that wall!" when Trump mentioned the Mexican-American border.
"We will build the wall, believe me, we will build it," responded Trump.
And he didn't soften his criticism of Clinton and President Barack Obama, who he previously said founded the terrorist group ISIS. Trump later said he was being sarcastic with those comments.
"She and Barack Obama unleashed ISIS, whether you like it or don't like it, whether you want to hear it or don't, that's what happened," Trump said in Charlotte, drawing boos from the crowd.
It was Trump's latest appearance in North Carolina, a key battleground state, in an election that's seen Trump and Democratic nominee Hillary, as well as their running mates, rally supporters from one end of the state to the other.
Supporters began lining up early outside the Convention Center Thursday as Trump returned to Charlotte for a pair of fundraisers and the evening campaign rally. Tables of merchandise vendors were set up along College Street, displaying "Hillary for Prison" T-shirts and "Bomb the S _ _ Out of ISIS" buttons, as well as water bottles with Trump's face on them.
Trump headlined a 6 p.m. fundraising dinner at uptown's Westin Hotel. He had another fundraiser earlier at Trump National Golf Club, and he visited a Fraternal Order of Police lodge in Iredell County, where, according to reports, he shot an M4 assault rifle.
"I just met with our many amazing employees right up the road at my property," Trump told the crowd, referring to Trump National Golf Club near Mooresville. He quipped: "They like me very much. I guess I pay them too much."
Trump's visit to Charlotte comes amid a shakeup in the campaign. He's also buying his first TV ads in North Carolina, with $838,000 worth of ads set to run in the state from Aug. 19 to 29, according to NBC. Of that, $347,000 is set to target the Charlotte market.
Clinton has a slight edge over Trump in the state, according to the latest average of polls from Real Clear Politics. She's leading Trump 45.3 percent to 43.3 percent. Trump and Clinton spoke to the Veterans of Foreign Wars convention last month in Charlotte.
This week, Stephen Bannon, who runs the conservative Breitbart News, was named as the campaign's chief executive on Wednesday. And Kellyanne Conway, a veteran Republican pollster, became campaign manager.
In Charlotte, Trump also cast himself as someone who would fight for the downtrodden and help minorities, factory workers, veterans and the middle class succeed economically.
"So many are not making it, but they're going to make it if Trump becomes president," he said. "America first, remember, America first, America first."
Outside the convention center, former state Sen. Malcolm Graham held a news conference to denounce Gov. Pat McCrory for supporting Trump. McCrory is an honorary chair of Trump's Charlotte fundraiser. McCrory has appeared with Trump before, most recently at last week's rally in Wilmington.
"Gov. McCrory has shown his true colors," said Graham, who appeared on behalf of McCrory's Democratic opponent, Roy Cooper, and the state Democratic Party. At least one Hillary Clinton supporter showed up outside, holding a sign in protest of Trump.
Before the rally started, Rose Hamid, president of Muslim Women of the Carolinas, got kicked out. At a Trump rally in Rock Hill earlier this year, she was escorted out after standing in silent protest of the candidate's comments about Muslims.
"I'm here to put a positive image on Islam and Muslims," she said Thursday. Hamid had been handing out pens with "Salam," or "peace," written on them.
A security guard wouldn't say why she got kicked out. "I don't talk to press."
Some supporters waiting outside the convention center said they've been to see Trump before. Philip and Diane Ezzell, 67, from arrived at 9 a.m. to get to the front of the line. This is fourth Trump rally for the Monroe residents.
Philip Ezzell said he likes Trump because "he's not bought and paid for," and called Clinton is "a big liar" and "corrupt."
The Ezzells also like Trump's position on trade and American manufacturing. He worked in textiles for 33 years, and they moved five times because of plants closing or struggling.
"We lived it," Diane Ezzell said.
At the uptown fundraiser, former Mecklenburg Judge Bill Belk, Realtor Fred Godley and 12th District Republican Leon Threatt were among the guests. Some of the donors also attended the luncheon fundraiser in Mooresville.
"He says the things I think," Godley told a reporter.
Ed Broyhill of Winson-Salem, co-chair of both fundraisers, said the fundraisers are expected to raise about $1.5 million. He said around 100 people are expected at the Westin dinner and as many as 250 at Trump National.
GOP Chairman Reince Priebus will speak at the dinner. McCrory and Thom Tillis are expected to be there. U.S. Sen. Richard Burr is listed as an honorary co-chair but not expected to attend.
