Trump Intensifies Dark Rhetoric Against Immigrants, Harris – Reuters

By Tim Reid

WASHINGTON – Donald Trump used some of his strongest language to criticize immigrants who have entered the country unlawfully and committed crimes, particularly against young women, while intensifying his personal attacks on Kamala Harris.

During his speech in Wisconsin, Trump referred to Democratic Vice President Harris, who had just visited the U.S.-Mexico border as part of her 2024 presidential campaign, as "mentally impaired" and "mentally disabled."

The Republican presidential candidate was surrounded by posters depicting immigrants in the U.S. illegally who had been arrested for serious crimes, including murder, alongside banners proclaiming "End Migrant Crime" and "Deport Illegals Now."

His address focused primarily on undocumented immigrants, labeling those who engaged in violent crimes as "monsters," "stone-cold killers," and "vile animals."

As Trump competes with Harris ahead of the upcoming Nov. 5 election, immigration and border security remain key concerns for voters, according to various polls.

In response to Trump’s speech, Sarafina Chitika, a spokesperson for Harris, remarked, "He’s got nothing ‘inspiring’ to offer the American people, just darkness."

Trump attributed the influx of undocumented immigrants to Harris and President Joe Biden, alleging that some individuals intend to "rape, pillage, thieve, plunder, and kill the people of the United States."

At one point, Trump acknowledged, "This is a dark speech."

His remarks were delivered in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, a small city where a Venezuelan national in the country illegally was recently arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a woman and attacking her daughter.

Government data indicates that around 7 million migrants have crossed the U.S.-Mexico border illegally during Biden’s presidency, marking a record high that has resulted in intense criticism directed at Harris and Biden from Trump and his Republican allies.

During her border visit, Harris laid out her proposals for reforming "our broken immigration system" and accused Trump of "fanning the flames of fear and division" regarding the perceived impact of immigrants on American society. She also called for stricter asylum regulations and emphasized her commitment to preventing fentanyl from entering the U.S.

Trump repeated his unfounded claim that his defeat in the 2020 election was fraudulent, stating that if he were to be reelected, he would prosecute those he believes contributed to his loss.

Research generally shows no evidence that immigrants commit crimes at a higher rate than native-born citizens, and critics argue that Trump’s rhetoric reinforces harmful stereotypes.

Trump frequently utilizes narratives of young women allegedly harmed by Hispanic assailants to support his claims, often neglecting cases involving male victims. His opponents accuse him of exploiting the grief of families to bolster his portrayal of foreign-born individuals as part of an invading force.

Some families of victims have expressed support for Trump’s focus on violent crime and the death toll resulting from fentanyl, much of which crosses the southern border.

Several parents who lost children to assaults by undocumented immigrants or to fentanyl overdoses spoke in favor of Trump’s position before his remarks on Saturday.