Harris criticizes Trump military remarks/ Pennsylvania battleground/ Trump Harris Pennsylvania rallies/ Harris condemns Trump/ Pennsylvania 2024 election/ Newslooks/ ERIE/ Pa./ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ In Pennsylvania, Vice President Kamala Harris rebuked Donald Trump for suggesting military intervention against so-called “enemies within” the U.S. Harris’s criticism, delivered at a rally in Erie, reflects her campaign’s focus on Trump’s rhetoric as a threat to democracy. Both nominees are prioritizing Pennsylvania as the pivotal battleground state.
Harris Rebukes Trump’s Military Comments Quick Look
- Location: Trump and Harris campaigned in Pennsylvania, a critical swing state.
- Harris’s Message: Condemned Trump’s remarks on using the military against internal “enemies.”
- Campaign Strategies: Harris is targeting undecided and moderate voters; Trump emphasizes the economy and energy independence.
- Voter Outreach: Harris encouraged early voting and increased outreach to Black men.
- Electoral Significance: Both candidates heavily focus on Pennsylvania and other former Democratic strongholds.
Harris Condemns Trump’s Call for Military to Police ‘Enemies Within’
Deep Look
Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump clashed over the future of American democracy during separate campaign events in Pennsylvania, highlighting the state’s status as a critical battleground in the 2024 presidential election. In her 10th campaign visit to the state, Harris took direct aim at Trump’s recent comments suggesting that the U.S. military should handle perceived “enemies within.”
At her rally in Erie, Harris criticized Trump’s comments as “dangerous” and indicative of his desire for “unchecked power.” Referring to a clip played on a large screen, Harris warned the audience that Trump’s rhetoric could pose a significant threat to democratic institutions. “He considers anyone who doesn’t support him or who will not bend to his will an enemy of our country,” she said, cautioning that Trump’s views might lay the groundwork for overreach if he were to win a second term.
The confrontation is part of Harris’s broader strategy to sway moderate and undecided voters in Pennsylvania, where Trump narrowly won in 2016 but lost to Joe Biden in 2020 by about 80,000 votes. Harris’s campaign team views her focus on Trump’s rhetoric and behavior as a way to attract traditional Republican voters who might be uncomfortable with his recent statements, especially regarding military involvement in domestic matters. Pennsylvania and its 19 electoral votes are critical to both campaigns, and Democrats believe that winning here is essential to their chances in November.
In a recent Fox News interview, Trump mentioned using the military against perceived threats from “radical left lunatics” and “sick people.” He implied that the National Guard or the military could intervene if such individuals disrupted Election Day. Trump’s remarks have sparked controversy, particularly among Democrats who see it as an escalation of his confrontational approach. Defending Trump’s comments, his running mate Senator JD Vance said, “If they’re rioting and looting and burning cities down to the ground, of course [military intervention] is justified.”
Meanwhile, Trump held his own campaign event in suburban Philadelphia, addressing voters’ economic concerns and reiterating his commitment to energy independence. Answering questions from attendees, Trump pledged to expand U.S. oil drilling to drive down energy costs. He claimed, without evidence, that the Biden administration manipulated government data to downplay rising crime and inflation. Medical emergencies interrupted his event twice, prompting Trump to end the Q&A portion early and instead entertain the audience with a DJ-style music session.
Harris’s campaign stop in Erie emphasized early voting, a priority for Democrats this cycle. Mail-in voting is already underway, and Harris urged supporters not to delay in returning their ballots. Before her rally, Harris also made a visit to LegendErie Records and Coffee House, a Black-owned business in Erie, highlighting the campaign’s focus on expanding opportunities for Black men, a key demographic in the election. Her campaign has introduced an economic plan specifically for Black men, aiming to address potential concerns about enthusiasm and voter turnout within the community.
Harris’s visit to Erie and Trump’s frequent returns to Pennsylvania underline how vital the state has become in both candidates’ strategies. Pennsylvania has been a swing state for years, and both Democrats and Republicans are giving it particular attention. Trump’s narrow 2016 victory in Pennsylvania marked a shift in the state’s voting patterns, and Democrats have been eager to reclaim it.
For Pennsylvania residents like Erie native Luther Manus, 97, Harris’s message resonated. Manus, a veteran of World War II and Vietnam, praised Harris’s goals but expressed skepticism about how much she could accomplish without Democratic control in Congress. “If they give her a Democratic Senate and a Democratic House, she’ll be able to do much of what she said,” he said.
With the campaigns entering the final stretch, both Harris and Trump continue to court Pennsylvania voters, each side betting that a win here could be the key to victory. Trump supporter Tom Bonanno expressed optimism, feeling a growing enthusiasm for Trump, which he attributes to economic concerns. “It’s not just going to be about feeling joy or happiness. It’s about the economy once again,” he said.
As both candidates double down on Pennsylvania, their contrasting messages underscore the race’s stakes. Trump’s emphasis on economic recovery and military readiness appeals to conservative voters, while Harris’s focus on democratic stability and outreach to minority groups aims to sway moderates and undecided voters in what promises to be a tight race.
