Former President Donald Trump brought his campaign trail to California on Saturday night, focusing his remarks on the crisis at the southern border and immigration. The rally, held in the desert oasis of Coachella, was a bold move by Trump’s team, given the state’s reputation as a bastion of liberal politics.
Trump began his remarks by painting a bleak picture of California’s current state, linking it to the policies of Vice President Kamala Harris. “California was once the epitome of American greatness,” he said, “but the policies of Kamala Harris have turned it into a shadow of its former self.”
Trump then turned his attention to the issue of illegal immigration, which he claimed has ravaged the state. “If Kamala Harris gets four more years, the entire country will become like the migrant camps of LA and San Francisco,” he warned, before asserting that the southern border crisis is the nation’s most pressing issue, even surpassing economic concerns.
Video footage played at the rally highlighted the growing problem of gang-related violence along the border, as well as Harris’s past statements on immigration. Trump repeated his call for the use of the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, which he dubbed “Operation Aurora,” to deport gang members. He also reiterated his demand for the death penalty for immigrants who kill U.S. citizens or law enforcement officers.
Trump also took aim at Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA), a vocal critic of the former president. Schiff is facing off against Republican challenger Steve Garvey in a highly competitive Senate race. Trump branded Schiff a “major lowlife,” saying he was “a bad person, a sick person, not a stupid guy, but a sick puppy.”
Hollywood actor Dennis Quaid, a self-described Trump supporter, took the stage before the former president, urging the crowd to “pick a side.” Quaid, who has been an outspoken critic of liberal policies, said it was time for Americans to choose between upholding the Constitution and embracing the values of social media platforms like TikTok.
The rally took place in the Coachella Valley, a region that is home to a highly competitive House race. Rep. Ken Calvert (R-CA) is locked in a tight battle for reelection against Democratic challenger Will Rollins, and Trump’s visit may help galvanize Republican voters ahead of the election. As a reliably blue state, California is not typically a priority for Trump’s campaign, but the six competitive House races across the state make it an attractive stop for the former president.
