SIERRA VISTA, Ariz. — Former President Donald Trump used a visit to Arizona’s border region to underscore a stark contrast between his administration’s border policies and those of Vice President Kamala Harris. During a Thursday event dubbed “Make America Safe Again,” Trump showcased a section of the border wall constructed during his presidency alongside a stack of unused steel beams to emphasize his stance on border security.
At the event, Trump was accompanied by grieving mothers, Cochise County Sheriff Mark Dannels, and Paul Perez, president of the Border Patrol union. Perez criticized the current administration’s border efforts, labeling the existing structures as ineffective. “To my right is what we call Trump wall. This was wall that was built under President Trump,” Perez stated. “To my left, we have what we call Kamala wall. It’s just sitting there doing nothing, lying down.”
The Arizona visit was part of Trump’s campaign tour targeting battleground states. The timing aimed to shift attention away from the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, where speakers criticized Trump for allegedly exploiting immigration issues to galvanize his base. The convention had seen accusations that Trump was demonizing immigrants, despite some data suggesting that undocumented individuals are statistically less likely to commit violent crimes compared to native-born citizens.
During the Arizona event, Trump highlighted personal tragedies, including those of mothers whose children were killed by individuals illegally residing in the U.S. Alexis Nungaray, whose 12-year-old daughter Jocelyn was murdered in Houston, spoke emotionally about the need for stricter border controls.
The event was heavily secured, with snipers positioned at elevated vantage points and visible security on both sides of the border. This heightened security comes in the wake of an assassination attempt on Trump last month.
The Biden administration has yet to respond to inquiries regarding the materials left at the border site. Trump’s recent tour has included stops in Pennsylvania, Michigan, and North Carolina, with upcoming events scheduled in Las Vegas and Glendale, Arizona. His vice-presidential candidate, Senator JD Vance of Ohio, had previously spoken at a similar border location.
In response to Trump’s claims, Democratic leaders argued that their party is making genuine strides on border issues. U.S. Representative Veronica Escobar of El Paso, Texas, dismissed Trump’s assertions, stating, “He and his Republican imitators see the border and immigration as a political opportunity to exploit instead of an issue to address.” U.S. Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut also criticized Trump’s stance, highlighting that a bipartisan border proposal earlier this year was thwarted by Republican opposition.
Trump dismissed the idea of a legislative fix, claiming that decisive action could be taken without a bill. “He didn’t need a bill. He knows that,” Trump said, referring to President Biden. “You know I didn’t have a bill. I said ‘close the border.’”
