In a fiery campaign speech on Friday, Donald Trump depicted an apocalyptic vision of a country “occupied” by waves of criminal foreigners, intensifying his rhetoric surrounding immigration as the November U.S. election approaches. As the race tightens, the former Republican president is splitting his message between a protectionist economic platform and a narrative that demonizes immigrants to rally his predominantly white, working-class supporters.
Trump’s speech in Aurora, Colorado, marked one of his most divisive addresses to date, filled with wild exaggerations about local tensions and misleading claims regarding immigration statistics and policies. He declared, “America is known, all throughout the world, as ‘Occupied America.’ They call it ‘occupied.’ We’re being occupied by a criminal force.” The 80-minute address focused almost exclusively on immigration, and he made a bold pledge: “November 5, 2024 will be Liberation Day in America,” while surrounded by posters depicting foreign suspects accused of crimes.
Despite ongoing challenges in managing the southern border with Mexico, Trump has escalated fears by alleging that an “invasion” of migrants poses severe threats, claiming they will engage in violent acts against Americans. He has specifically targeted his Democratic opponent, Kamala Harris, labeling her a “criminal” and making false statements about Venezuelan gangs being permitted to shoot police officers. He warned of an “enemy from within,” claiming they pose a greater danger than any foreign adversary.
To combat these perceived threats, Trump announced plans to use the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, which permits the federal government to detain and deport foreigners from enemy nations, launching a mass deportation initiative dubbed “Operation Aurora.”
It’s worth noting that violent crime has decreased each year during President Joe Biden’s administration, even though Trump’s tenure saw a spike in such incidents. Studies indicate that migrants commit fewer crimes than native-born citizens, despite some high-profile cases of violent crimes involving foreign suspects, which have fueled Republican outrage.
In contrast to Trump’s inflammatory rhetoric, Kamala Harris, campaigning in Scottsdale, Arizona, emphasized unity. She committed to forming a “bipartisan council of advisors” and including a Republican in her cabinet, stating, “In the last several years in our country, there are some powerful forces that are trying to divide us as Americans.” Harris urged her audience to focus on shared values rather than division, declaring, “We have more in common than what separates us.”
The divergent approaches of Trump and Harris highlight the contrasting narratives shaping the final stages of the presidential race as both candidates seek to mobilize their respective bases ahead of the election.