Washington: Former US President Donald Trump is gearing up to criticize President Joe Biden’s handling of the U.S.-Mexico border during his upcoming visits to Wisconsin and Michigan, pivotal states for the 2024 election.
Trump plans to kick off his tour in Grand Rapids, Michigan, delivering a speech focusing on what his campaign terms “Biden’s Border Bloodbath.” Subsequently, he will hold a rally in Green Bay, Wisconsin, coinciding with the state’s presidential primaries.
Opinion polls suggest Trump holds an edge over Biden concerning immigration issues, with many potential voters expressing concerns about record-high illegal border crossings. Recent weeks have seen Trump and his party highlighting several cases of immigrants residing illegally in the U.S. being charged with crimes, such as the tragic killing of nursing student Laken Riley in Georgia, allegedly by a Venezuelan man.
During Tuesday’s engagements, Trump is anticipated to address the case of Ruby Garcia, a Michigan woman found deceased beside a Grand Rapids highway on March 22. Police reports indicate she was romantically involved with the suspect, Brandon Ortiz Vite, who confessed to shooting her during an argument. Ortiz Vite, a Mexican citizen previously deported after a drunk driving arrest, currently lacks legal representation.
Trump’s spokesperson, Karoline Leavitt, stated, “Under Crooked Joe Biden, EVERY state is now a border state. EVERY town is now a Border Town — because Joe Biden has brought the carnage, chaos, and killing from all over the world, and dumped it straight into our own backyards.”
FBI data reveals a general decline in violent crime nationwide, continuing a trend following a spike during the pandemic. In Michigan, violent crime hit a three-year low in 2022, with Detroit recording the fewest homicides since 1966.
While Trump previously met with Riley’s family, it remains uncertain whether Garcia’s family will attend. Trump expressed interest in having them at the event.
Biden’s campaign pre-emptively accused Trump of politicizing tragedies, emphasizing the need for solutions to border issues. Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer echoed concerns about the border crisis and criticized Trump for obstructing potential solutions.
Trump’s visit comes amid efforts by Republicans to bolster their organizational strength in both states, where they lag behind Democrats. In Michigan, State Rep. Matthew Maddock faced criticism for baseless claims about migrant “invaders.” Meanwhile, Democrats in Wisconsin boast a robust organizational presence, having established numerous field offices across the state.
The Trump campaign pledges to ramp up efforts in both states, aiming to establish multiple offices and recruit hundreds of staff in the coming months.
