Trump’s Fiery Critique of Kamala Harris Over Immigration Issues \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Former President Donald Trump criticized Vice President Kamala Harris during a Wisconsin rally, linking her policies to illegal immigration. Trump accused Harris of “erasing the border” and promised a massive deportation operation. He also attacked her personally, while emphasizing their different visions for the country.
Immigration Debate Quick Looks
- Trump Rallies in Wisconsin: Trump addressed supporters in Prairie du Chien, focusing on illegal immigration and criticizing Kamala Harris.
- Blaming Harris: He alleged Harris was responsible for the surge of migrants and blamed her for “erasing the border.”
- Mass Deportation Promise: Trump promised the largest deportation operation in American history if re-elected.
- Personal Attacks on Harris: Trump called Harris “mentally impaired” and a “disaster,” questioning her competence.
- Harris Fires Back: Harris countered during a rally, calling Trump “a very unserious man” with dangerous consequences if re-elected.
- Wisconsin’s Crime Example: Trump highlighted the case of Alejandro Jose Coronel Zarate, an undocumented immigrant accused of serious crimes, to emphasize his stance on illegal immigration.
Deep Look
Former President Donald Trump took center stage in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, on Saturday, delivering a sprawling address that sharply targeted Vice President Kamala Harris, illegal immigration, and a number of other grievances. The rally was ostensibly focused on tying his Democratic opponents to issues along the U.S.-Mexico border, but Trump’s comments wandered into various unrelated subjects.
A day after Vice President Harris visited the U.S.-Mexico border to discuss immigration policy, Trump sought to discredit her efforts. Speaking to a crowd of supporters, he directly blamed Harris for crimes allegedly committed by migrants who entered the U.S. illegally. Trump claimed she was responsible for “erasing our border” and vowed that if he were re-elected, he would “liberate Wisconsin from the mass migrant invasion” and take measures to secure the entire country.
Trump’s rhetoric was aimed at tapping into the ongoing frustration over illegal immigration, particularly in key swing states like Wisconsin. His pledge to initiate the largest deportation campaign in U.S. history was intended to appeal to voters worried about border security. Polls have shown that many Americans believe Trump could handle immigration issues more effectively than Harris.
However, Trump’s speech was erratic, shifting unpredictably from one topic to another. Besides focusing on immigration, he mentioned the two assassination attempts against him and complained about the U.S. Secret Service’s decision to hold his rally indoors rather than in a larger outdoor venue. He also provided a series of digressions on unrelated topics, including climate change, Vice President Harris’s father, his own physical fitness compared to President Biden’s, and even a fly buzzing nearby. In a characteristically humorous moment, Trump joked about the fly, suggesting that the insect was a sign of rapid changes, though without elaborating on what he meant.
Trump repeatedly attacked Harris over her appearance in Douglas, Arizona, where she promoted further asylum restrictions. Harris, while announcing these policy changes, criticized Trump’s approach to handling the border during his presidency and for opposing a recent bipartisan border security package. She remarked that Trump would rather use the border crisis for political leverage than actually solve it.
Taking aim at her statements, Trump described the experience of watching Harris speak as torturous, eliciting cheers from his audience. He went so far as to criticize Fox News for broadcasting her event, claiming everything she said was “lies.” His remarks grew more personal as he called Harris “mentally impaired” and “a disaster.” Trump also seemed bewildered by Harris’s comments about him separating children from their parents at the border—a reference to his administration’s much-criticized family separation policy, which he eventually ended under pressure.
Meanwhile, Vice President Harris held her own rally in San Francisco, emphasizing what she called “two very different visions for our nation.” She portrayed Trump as recycling old talking points, saying he represented “the same old tired show” and adding that while Trump himself might not be serious, the consequences of his return to power could be dire.
On either side of Trump’s stage in Wisconsin were large posters displaying mug shots of men in the U.S. illegally who had been accused of crimes. One prominent example was Alejandro Jose Coronel Zarate, whose case Trump cited as indicative of the broader problems related to illegal immigration. Zarate had been charged on September 18th with serious crimes, including sexual assault and child abuse, in Prairie du Chien.
Local law enforcement leaders echoed Trump’s message about Zarate. Police Chief Kyle Teynor noted on social media that Zarate is not a U.S. citizen and possessed forged immigration documents, including a fake Social Security card. Teynor added that Zarate’s tattoos suggested he was affiliated with the Tren de Aragua gang, a notorious group that originated in Venezuelan prisons and is allegedly expanding in the United States. Despite the incident involving Zarate, Teynor also emphasized that Zarate was the only Venezuelan gang member his force had encountered, but said the suffering experienced by the alleged victims in the community was all too real.
Republican figures, including U.S. Senator Derrick Van Orden, a native of Prairie du Chien, pointed to Zarate’s case as an example of the dangers of illegal immigration. Van Orden criticized local authorities in both Minneapolis and Madison for releasing Zarate previously, arguing that they effectively allowed him to commit further crimes. He characterized these jurisdictions as “sanctuaries” for illegal immigrants.
In Van Orden’s view, Trump is the only leader capable of restoring order and ensuring community safety. Speaking at the rally, he described Trump as a man with “strength and courage of conviction,” adding that the former president was willing to face even death for the sake of the nation.
Trump’s Fiery Critique Trump’s Fiery Critique
