At a recent political rally in Erie, Pennsylvania, former President Donald Trump stepped up his criticism of Vice President Kamala Harris, labeling her as “mentally impaired” and suggesting she be impeached and prosecuted for her actions regarding the U.S.-Mexico border. Trump’s comments seem to be growing more severe as he campaigns for the 2024 presidency.
Trump held Harris accountable for an alleged “border invasion” at the rally. He claimed that “hundreds of people have been murdered due to her actions at the border, with thousands more likely to follow quickly.” He further pressed his accusations on a Truth Social post, saying, “Kamala’s illegal migrants. It’s the biggest crime story of our time. She should resign or be IMPEACHED!”
During the rally, Trump’s supporters echoed his sentiments with chants of “lock her up,” a callback to his previous campaigns against other political adversaries. He also showcased a campaign-style ad that parodied Harris’ unique laugh and criticized her immigration policies, aimed at galvanizing his supporters against her.
Trump also launched personal attacks on Harris, stating, “Honestly, I believe she was born that way. There’s something wrong with Kamala, and I just don’t know what it is, but there is definitely something missing.” These derogatory remarks have faced backlash from some within his own party.
Vice President Harris has largely refrained from responding directly to Trump’s comments, dismissing similar past remarks as commonplace. However, she has been vocal about immigration, criticizing Trump’s inaction on critical issues during his presidency. During a trip to Arizona, Harris underscored that Trump failed to make advancements in fixing the nation’s flawed immigration system or address the lack of immigration judges and border agents during his four-year term.
Trump’s allegations are not novel. He has consistently berated Harris for her stance on immigration in past rallies, attributing the perceived disorder at the southern border to her. Critics, however, point out that some of the immigration statistics Trump has referenced, especially claims of a crime surge connected to immigration under the current administration, were either overstated or included numbers from his own presidency. A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security clarified that the data Trump cited “goes back decades” and includes noncitizens from various administrations, not just those during Harris’ tenure.
Several prominent Republicans have begun to separate themselves from Trump’s rhetoric. Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina suggested a different approach, proposing that it would be more beneficial to contend that Harris’ policies are harming the country. Republican Majority Whip Representative Tom Emmer echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the need to concentrate on key issues.
Former Maryland Governor Larry Hogan, known for his moderate views, was more forthright in his disapproval. He described Trump’s comments as “outrageous and unacceptable” and “insulting, not only to the vice president but to people that do have mental disabilities.”
As Trump’s 2024 campaign continues, his criticism of Harris looks set to be a main talking point. However, whether his confrontational rhetoric will energize his base or deter voters as the election season advances is yet to be determined.