Vice Presidential Candidate JD Vance Criticizes Harris Over Border Security in Valdosta

VALDOSTA, Ga. – Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance held a rally in Valdosta on the same day that Vice President Kamala Harris is expected to formally accept the Democratic nomination.

Despite Thursday’s rainy weather, enthusiastic Trump supporters began gathering hours ahead of an afternoon campaign rally in Georgia. The rally, featuring vice presidential candidate Sen. J.D. Vance, is part of the Trump-Vance campaign’s efforts to gain ground in the contested state.

Vance criticizes Harris over border security

Senator Vance spoke about border security and immigration, key issues in the campaign. The Trump-Vance team has targeted presidential candidate Kamala Harris, criticizing her handling of the immigration crisis during her tenure as vice president. With President Joe Biden out of the race, Republicans have blamed Harris for illegal immigration, calling her a “failed border czar” and portraying her as a dangerous liberal who is lax on crime.

“Once Kamala Harris is removed from office, we will no longer be open to doing business with the illegal aliens or the Mexican drug cartels. That is our solemn pledge to the American people,” Vance told the crowd.

Vance slammed the Harris-Walz campaign, claiming the vice president has not done enough to secure the border during her tenure in the Biden administration.

“Our message to illegal aliens who come into this country in violation of our laws: If you come into this country illegally, Donald Trump and I are committed to sending you home. Because that is what it takes if you want to have real border policy,” Vance said.

It is a message that resonated with many of those present at the demonstration.

“Border security is very important to me,” said Gerald Parker, a Trump supporter.

Immigration and border security remain key issues for voters this election year.

“I’m someone who is 100 percent pro-immigration, but it has to be legal. Right now we’re being inundated with people. It’s going to collapse our system,” said Kathleen Pratt, Trump Supporter.

Early in his term, President Biden tapped Harris to help address the massive influx of migrants at the southern border.

The Republican-controlled Senate has twice rejected a border security bill after Trump reportedly said he would not pass the legislation.

Now that Biden has dropped out of the race, Republicans are blaming Harris for the illegal immigration crisis, calling her a failed “border czar.” They are fighting to shape her campaign, promising to stem the flow of illegal immigrants across the border and stop the flow of drugs into the U.S. if she wins.

“The reason we have an open border is because Kamala Harris reversed the policies of Donald J Trump. If we bring those policies back, we get border security, but you need a president who wants to do those kinds of things,” Vance said.

Trump visits southern border, discusses immigration

While Vance was in the Peach State, Trump was in Sierra Vista, Arizona. His visit included an inspection of the fence by local law enforcement and border officials. Trump sees border security, the issue that defined his first presidential campaign, as a major burden for Harris.

Before his remarks, Trump began criticizing Harris’ record on immigration and border security, calling her “the worst vice president” as he walked and chatted with some locals near a fence.

“She was the border czar. Suddenly she says she is not the border czar,” he said. “There has never been a border in the whole world that leaked like this border.”

Harris was tasked in March 2021 with addressing the “root causes” of migration from Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador — the so-called “Northern Triangle” of Central America. However, he was not given the title of “border czar” or put in charge of border security.

Trump supporters at the rally said immigration is a major concern for them, with many hoping for a Republican victory in the upcoming election.

The Associated Press contributed to this report