Former President Donald Trump ratcheted up his anti-immigrant rhetoric at a rally in Arizona, repeating unfounded claims that Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, were involved in disturbing and violent acts, such as stealing and eating pets and sexually assaulting American girls.
These remarks are part of the grim narrative Trump, the Republican nominee, is pushing for the 2024 campaign, portraying the situation at the southern border as an invasion.
After a weak performance in the debate with Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump doubled down on his disgusting attacks against immigrants.
“Illegal Haitians came in, illegal Haitian migrants taking over a beautiful place. It was so beautiful. Springfield, Ohio. I was there. I campaigned there a while ago. Springfield. It was so beautiful. Now it’s just a… what a place,” Trump told the crowd. “Can you imagine? You have this small, little community all of a sudden, you have 20,000 illegals in your community. Nobody knows where they come from. I’m angry about young American girls being raped and sodomized and murdered by savage criminal aliens.”
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Trump’s statements have been met with widespread condemnation. Former Texas prosecutor Sara Spector, who has a notable background in handling sexual assault cases, responded sharply to Trump’s claims. On social media platform X, Spector wrote, “I prosecuted sexual assault cases in Texas for 17 years. I never prosecuted an undocumented immigrant for rape. I prosecuted multiple Christian pastors for rape.”
In this week’s debate, while Kamala Harris presented detailed policy proposals, Trump resorted to familiar anti-immigrant rhetoric to deflect from his shortcomings. Trump repeated false claims about immigrants, such as them flooding the country from prisons and committing unprecedented levels of crime.
Trump’s inflammatory rhetoric has real consequences, including the harassment of voting rights activists and fueling extremist violence, as seen with the El Paso shooter. His promotion of the “great replacement” theory has gained traction within his faction of the Republican Party.
While Congress has struggled to address immigration due to divisive rhetoric, Harris has an opportunity to advocate for compassionate immigration reforms and contrast them with Trump’s xenophobic stance. Trump’s own success and wealth have been partly built by immigrants, despite his ongoing attacks on them.
Check Sara Spector’s response below:
I prosecuted sexual assault cases in Texas.
I prosecuted these cases for 17 years.
I never prosecuted an undocumented immigrant for rape.
I prosecuted multiple Christian pastors for rape.
As a descendant of a holocaust survivor, I have to speak up against this hate. https://t.co/ZxTsR3k0OS
— Sara Spector (@Miriam2626) September 13, 2024
