As rain dumped on his New Jersey golf club, US President Donald Trump raged, lashing out at his Justice Department on Twitter before welcoming members of a "Bikers for Trump" fan group to the manicured grounds.
Dozens and dozens of gleaming Harleys, Hondas and other motorcycles descended on the central New Jersey property for what had been billed as an outdoor photo-op with Trump. But pouring rain and flash-flood warnings scrambled the plan, sending soggy bikers inside a crystal-chandeliered club house ballroom, where Trump signed autographs and posed for selfies and his guests booed reporters.
It was a classic, chaotic Trump scene reminiscent of his ramshackle early campaign.
The day began with a broadside against the FBI, which Trump accused of stonewalling a public records request for former Deputy Attorney General Andrew McCabe's text messages. "What are they hiding?" the President tweeted, threatening that he "may have to get involved" personally in internal FBI business and warning, "DO NOT DESTROY." Trump also revived his frequent attacks on Attorney-General Jeff Sessions, calling him "scared stiff and Missing in Action."
Trump appeared in a better mood when he greeted the bikers, who chanted "Four more years!" and "USA!" as he entered the ballroom. He quickly pointed out the sopping-wet media, which sparked jeers and calls to "tell the truth". At one point, Trump polled those in the crowd on their views of the press, prompting more jeers.
