NEW YORK — Former president Donald Trump sought to explicitly appeal to voters of color in a South Bronx rally Thursday, arguing that shielding police officers from lawsuits would protect their communities from violent crime and suggesting that his policies would better benefit them economically.

“I’m going to indemnify all police officers and law enforcement officials throughout the United States to protect them from being destroyed by the radical left for taking strong actions on crime,” Trump said, speaking to the crowd in Crotona Park. “And remember, Black, Hispanic, Asian people need this protection and safety more than anyone else. Don’t ever forget it.”