Former U.S. President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump criticized Vice President Kamala Harris's border and immigration policies on the 24th (local time), saying, "America is like a garbage can for the world."
At a rally held in Tempe, Arizona, Trump said, "We are a dump. Like a garbage can for the world," adding, "That's what has happened to us." He claimed that "criminal immigrants are coming from prisons, jails, and mental hospitals all over the world, from Venezuela to Congo in Africa," blaming Vice President Harris, the Democratic presidential candidate, for the border policy.
He continued, "I get angry every time I talk about what they (illegal immigrants) have done to our country. This is the first time I have called it a garbage can," adding, "But it is a very accurate expression."
On the same day, Trump reaffirmed his pledge to deport illegal immigrants en masse on his first day in office. He raised his voice, saying, "America has been occupied (by illegal immigrants)," and "November 5th (Election Day) will be a day of liberation for America." He also said he would impose the death penalty if illegal immigrants kill Americans and requested Congress to establish a border patrol force of 10,000 personnel.
This statement is interpreted as an attempt to shift responsibility for the surge in illegal immigrants and related crimes to Vice President Harris, aiming to win the votes of border area voters just over ten days before the election. Throughout his presidential campaign, Trump has consistently made immigration and border issues a major focus and continued aggressive remarks against immigrants.
Trump also continued his negative attacks against Vice President Harris. He said, "Harris said again yesterday on TV (CNN Town Hall Meeting) that she opposes plans to send illegal immigrants back to their home countries," belittling her as "a person with a low IQ." He also said he watched the CNN Town Hall Meeting attended by Vice President Harris the day before and sarcastically called it "pathetic."
The rally took place in Arizona, one of the battleground states in the southern Sun Belt. Early voting began earlier this month, and both Trump and Harris have visited the area. NBC News reported that recent polls show Trump holding a narrow lead within the margin of error.
On the same day, Trump also said that if he wins the presidential election next month and takes office, he will immediately dismiss the federal special prosecutor who indicted him. In a conservative podcast interview, when asked about Special Prosecutor Jack Smith, he said, "I would fire him in two seconds." The U.S. president does not have the direct authority to dismiss a special prosecutor but can do so through the appointment of a new Attorney General. Additionally, Trump mentioned that although Hunter Biden is "undoubtedly a bad guy," he is open to granting a pardon.
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