Harris Criticizes Trump’s ‘Enemy from Within’ Remarks in Heated Battle for Pennsylvania
Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump intensified their campaigns in Pennsylvania on Monday, each vying for a key battleground state. Harris aimed at Trump’s recent comments about potentially using the U.S. military to address domestic threats, labeling him a threat to democracy.
Harris Calls Trump a Threat
During a rally in Erie, Pennsylvania, Harris played a video clip of Trump’s controversial statement suggesting that “the enemy from within” could be dealt with by the National Guard or military. Trump made the remark during an interview, referencing potential Election Day disruptions by what he described as “radical left lunatics.”
Harris reacted sharply, claiming Trump’s rhetoric reflects a desire for unchecked power. “He considers anyone who doesn’t support him or will not bend to his will an enemy of our country,” Harris said. She emphasized that a second Trump term would be dangerous for America and pose a significant risk to its democratic institutions.
Pennsylvania: The Crucial Battleground
Both Harris and Trump have heavily focused their campaigns on Pennsylvania, a state with 19 electoral votes that could be decisive in the 2024 election. Pennsylvania is often referred to as a “swing state” due to its fluctuating voting patterns between Democratic and Republican candidates. Harris’s rally in Erie marked her 10th visit to the state, while Trump recently held a town hall in suburban Philadelphia following earlier stops in Scranton and Reading.
Trump’s Defense and Economic Focus
Responding to Trump’s comments, his running mate, Senator JD Vance, defended the potential use of military assets in response to civil unrest. “Is it a justifiable use of those assets if they’re rioting and looting and burning cities down to the ground? Of course, it is,” Vance remarked during a campaign stop in Minneapolis.
Meanwhile, at his town hall in Oaks, Pennsylvania, Trump highlighted economic issues, repeating his promise to ramp up U.S. oil drilling to lower energy costs. He also accused the government of manipulating crime and unemployment data to benefit the incumbent Democrats, calling these statistics “fake.”
Harris Highlights Early Voting and Economic Plans
At her rally in Erie, Harris emphasized the importance of early voting, urging supporters to submit their mail-in ballots as soon as possible. She also continued her outreach to Black voters, visiting a Black-owned small business in Erie. Her campaign recently unveiled a plan to boost economic opportunities for Black men, with initiatives focused on supporting Black-owned businesses, improving access to education, and addressing systemic economic barriers.
With just weeks remaining until Election Day, both Harris and Trump are making their final pushes in Pennsylvania. The state, which has consistently proven pivotal in recent elections, could once again play a key role in determining the outcome of the presidential race.