In a campaign appearance on Monday, Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris sharply criticised her Republican opponent, former president Donald Trump, for his alarming rhetoric about “the enemy within” the United States.
Trump’s comments, including a suggestion to deploy the military against domestic threats, have become a focal point of Harris’ renewed effort to portray him as a serious threat to American democracy.
At a campaign rally in Erie, Pennsylvania, Harris showed an excerpt of a speech where Trump told supporters, “Those people are more dangerous—the enemy from within—than Russia.” Trump continued, calling for the National Guard or even the military to intervene, “if necessary.”
In response, Harris, the sitting vice president, condemned Trump’s words, warning that his view of dissenters as enemies posed a grave danger to the country.
“A second Trump term would be a huge risk for America, and dangerous. Donald Trump is increasingly unstable and unhinged,” Harris said, emphasising the growing need to protect democratic values. She added that Trump’s willingness to label opponents as enemies demonstrated his detachment from reality and democratic norms.
This rare direct attack came during a campaign stop in Pennsylvania, a pivotal battleground state with 19 electoral college votes at stake. Harris, 59, has made Pennsylvania a key focus of her presidential bid, marking her tenth visit to the state since securing the Democratic nomination in July. Polls show that the state, crucial in deciding the outcome of the 2024 election, remains a hotbed of political activity as both campaigns ramp up efforts to sway voters.
In her remarks, Harris also doubled down on her calls for Trump to release his health records, mirroring the transparency she says she has demonstrated. She has previously criticized Trump for his erratic speeches, which she says often veer into tangents about fictional characters like Hannibal Lecter.
In addition to taking aim at Trump, Harris spent her day in Pennsylvania focusing on outreach to Black voters, particularly Black men, a group whose support is crucial for her election chances. Her campaign has expressed concerns about declining enthusiasm among Black voters, and Harris is making efforts to reverse this trend.
During her visit to a Black-owned coffee shop in Erie, she held a discussion with Black men, underscoring her campaign’s commitment to addressing their unique concerns. Harris also used the opportunity to unveil new policy proposals specifically targeted at Black men, part of a broader strategy to energize this key voting bloc.
The new initiatives include 1 million fully forgivable small business loans of up to $20,000 for entrepreneurs in underserved communities. Additionally, Harris promised to legalize recreational marijuana and ensure Black entrepreneurs have equitable access to the emerging industry, recognizing the disproportionate impact that passed marijuana laws have had on Black communities.
Her plan also extends to boosting access to the cryptocurrency industry for Black Americans, and she announced a national health equity initiative aimed at addressing diseases that disproportionately affect Black men, such as sickle cell anemia. These proposals reflect Harris’ efforts to present tangible solutions to the economic and health challenges facing Black Americans.
With Election Day just weeks away, Harris’ dual strategy of attacking Trump’s divisive rhetoric and pushing forward progressive policies aimed at Black men could prove pivotal in key battleground states like Pennsylvania.
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