In a strategic move to divert attention from Vice President Kamala Harris’s nomination acceptance, former President Donald Trump is set to visit the southern border in Arizona on Thursday. The trip is part of a week-long effort by the Trump campaign to maintain a strong presence in the media landscape during the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.
The Trump campaign has been vocal about its criticism of Harris’s handling of the border crisis, citing nearly 10 million illegal immigrant crossings, the release of individuals on the terrorist watch list, and the devastating impact of fentanyl on American communities. In a post on its website, the campaign stated, “America is facing our country’s worst border crisis because of border Czar Kamala Harris… there is no end in sight for Kamala Harris’ border crisis.”
Trump’s visit to Cochise County, which borders New Mexico and Mexico, will feature remarks on the crimes committed by undocumented immigrants, the scarcity of jobs for Americans, and the growing fentanyl epidemic. Republican politicians, including Sheriff Mark Dannels, are expected to join Trump at the event.
Simultaneously, Trump’s running mate, Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH), will host an immigration event in Valdosta, Georgia, at 1 p.m. on Thursday.
Immigration remains a pressing concern for voters, having topped the list of issues in the Republican presidential primary earlier this year. Despite a recent decline in border crossings, the GOP believes that linking Harris to the spike in crossings can be a winning strategy in the general election. Harris has shifted her stance on immigration since her 2020 presidential run, moderating her views to appeal to a broader audience.
The Trump event in Arizona will be closed to the public but will be livestreamed by media outlets starting at 1:30 p.m. Eastern.
