Former President Donald Trump held an event in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, where he addressed a crowd and discussed various grievances, focusing on Vice President Kamala Harris and her handling of immigration issues at the U.S.-Mexico border. Trump blamed Harris for migrants committing crimes after illegally entering the U.S. He vowed to liberate Wisconsin from the mass migrant invasion and engage in the largest deportation operation in American history if elected. Polls suggest that Americans believe Trump would handle immigration better than Harris, and he hopes this frustration over illegal immigration will translate to votes in crucial swing states.
During his speech, Trump meandered through topics such as assassination attempts against him, blaming the Secret Service for venue decisions, climate change, Harris’ father, and even a fly that was buzzing near him. He criticized Harris for not fixing problems on the border and accused her of lying, labeling her as “mentally impaired” and a “disaster.” Trump also attempted to discredit Harris’ statements about him taking children from their parents at the border, a policy that was widely condemned. Harris, in response, portrayed Trump as a tired political figure with a playbook that lacked substance.
At the event, Trump displayed poster-sized mug shots of men in the U.S. illegally accused of crimes, including one individual charged with sexual assault, child abuse, and other offenses. Wisconsin Republicans seized on this case to highlight crimes committed by individuals in the country illegally. Police Chief Kyle Teynor emphasized that the accused individual had fake immigration documents and gang affiliations, despite being a Venezuelan national. Trump and local Republicans criticized authorities in Minneapolis and Madison for allowing the accused individual to harm victims in Prairie du Chien and accused them of providing sanctuary to those in the country illegally. U.S. Rep. Derrick Van Orden from Prairie du Chien echoed Trump’s sentiments, suggesting Trump is the only one capable of restoring order.
Overall, Trump’s event in Wisconsin served as a platform to air grievances against Vice President Harris and emphasize his stance on immigration issues. The former president’s rhetoric focused on blaming Harris for border problems, portraying her as incompetent and dishonest. Supporters at the rally embraced Trump’s strong stance on immigration and his promise to restore order and security. The event showcased the ongoing divide between Democrats and Republicans on immigration policies and border security, highlighting the issues that continue to drive political discourse in the U.S. as the 2024 Election approaches.
