The Associated Press

CHARLOTTE — President Donald Trump accused the media of using the pipe bomb incident to “score political points” against him and the GOP.

At a political rally Friday in North Carolina, Trump said the media has tried to attack the conservative movement, which he says is trying to bring power back to the American people.

The pro-Trump crowd broke into boos when he denounced negative media coverage, and there were loud chants of “CNN sucks.” He said the media has a role to play in making the tone of political discourse less divisive.

He said everyone would benefit if the “politics of personal destruction” ends.

Trump was campaigning in Charlotte in support of Republican Rep. Ted Budd, who represents parts of Rowan County, and GOP House candidate Mark Harris.

Trump said he needs Budd and Harris to help the GOP retain control of the House.

“Get them to Washington fast!” Trump told the crowd.

Trump said Budd voted to cut taxes, secure the border and protect Second Amendment rights.

Budd said the “status quo in Washington” is trying to stop Trump at every turn. He says he will help Trump “drain the swamp” in the nation’s capital.

Trump said Harris will vote to protect jobs, cut regulations, secure the border and stop illegal immigration.

Trump was back to his usual attack lines hours after police apprehended a person in connection with the mail-bomb scare targeting Democrats and CNN.

Trump was pulling no punches at a rally in Charlotte as he campaigned for two Republican House candidates.

At one point he referred to his 2016 opponent as “Crooked Hillary Clinton,” prompting a round of “Lock her up!” chants.

Clinton was among the frequent Trump targets sent pipe bombs this week.

Trump also railed against what he described as an effort by the press “to use the sinister actions of one” person to score “political points” against him.

He told reporters as he left Washington that he had no plans to tone down his rhetoric, adding, “I could really tone it up.”

Friday’s rally came hours after a Florida man was arrested in connection with more than a dozen pipe bombs sent to CNN and prominent Democrats who have criticized Trump. The man arrested is a fervent Trump supporter with an extensive police record.

Trump has been working to boost vulnerable Republicans ahead of the Nov. 6 elections that will determine which party controls Congress.

Budd is a first-term congressman facing Democrat Kathy Manning.

Harris defeated Rep. Robert Pittenger in a May GOP primary and faces Democrat Dan McCready.