Kamala Harris to Visit Southern Border This Week, Sources Confirm

As the countdown to Election Day continues, former President Donald Trump is set to speak about the tax code and U.S. manufacturing in Georgia, a key battleground state. With just six weeks remaining until voters head to the polls, both Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris are actively campaigning in critical areas.

Harris has a speech planned for Wednesday in Pennsylvania—a crucial swing state—and is scheduled to visit Arizona later in the week. During this trip, she is also expected to take a closer look at the situation at the southern border, marking her first visit since she rose to prominence in the race following the events of July.

Immigration has become a polarizing topic in the 2024 election cycle. Trump and other Republicans have frequently labeled Harris as the “border czar” while attributing the ongoing border crisis to her. In response, Harris contends that it was Trump and his allies who derailed a bipartisan border reform bill earlier in the year, underscoring the contentious nature of immigration policies.

Harris previously visited the southern border in 2021 after facing criticism for her lack of presence in the area. She has since been involved in initiatives aimed at addressing the root causes of migration, advocating for comprehensive immigration reform.

In another development, Trump is expected to hold a rally on October 5 in Butler, Pennsylvania. This city holds particular significance for Trump, being the site of his first assassination attempt during a rally in July. Trump has reiterated his intention to return, stating that the event will honor the victims of that attack. He shared his thoughts on social media, saying, “I WILL BE GOING BACK TO BUTLER, PENNSYLVANIA, FOR A BIG AND BEAUTIFUL RALLY.”

Traditionally, the Al Smith dinner in New York serves as a social event for presidential candidates, where they roast each other humorously. However, Harris has opted not to attend this year, choosing instead to focus her energies on campaigning in battleground areas. Campaign officials characterized her decision as an effort to maximize her time in states pivotal to the election.

The Al Smith dinner is set for October 17 and has historically seen participation from both major party nominees. Harris’s absence marks a departure from this long-standing tradition, with her team indicating that she would be open to attending in the future if elected president.

Former First Lady Melania Trump is preparing for her first interview of the 2024 election cycle, scheduled to air on Fox News. This marks her increased public engagement, coinciding with the promotion of her upcoming memoir titled “Melania,” which is set to be released on October 8. The book aims to provide insight into her personal journey, depicting her life experiences and the challenges she has overcome.

Trump has also expressed skepticism about participating in further debates, arguing that holding another forum at this late stage in the campaign would not be beneficial for the country. He emphasized that with many voters already casting ballots, the timing for another debate is not ideal. In contrast, Harris’s campaign has expressed interest in debating Trump, pointing out that prior presidential elections have included debates in the weeks leading up to Election Day.

Recent polling data indicates that Trump is maintaining a slight edge over Harris in key states, including Arizona and North Carolina. According to a survey conducted by The New York Times and Siena College, Trump leads Harris by 5 percentage points in Arizona when looking at a direct matchup. In North Carolina, Trump also holds a narrow lead of 2 percentage points, underscoring the competitive landscape as both candidates vie for the support of voters in these battleground states.

As the election approaches, Georgia, along with Arizona and North Carolina, remains a focal point in the campaign. With both candidates intensifying their outreach, the political landscape is set to become even more dynamic in the weeks ahead.

Source: ABC News