Kamala Harris Ad Features Trump’s Border Wall in Immigration Pivot

Vice President Kamala Harris's latest campaign advertisement seeks to rebrand her as a champion of border security, even showcasing the border wall built under former President Donald Trump. The ad, which features a shot of the wall in Sasabe, Arizona, aims to present Harris as a tough-on-immigration candidate as she pivots on an issue that has plagued the Biden-Harris administration.

Key points from the ad and campaign strategy include:

• The ad highlights Harris's past as a border state prosecutor, with claims that she "took on drug cartels," accompanied by footage of Trump’s border wall.

• This isn’t the first time Harris has attempted to position herself as strong on border security, with previous ads touting her support for increasing Border Patrol agents and combating human trafficking.

• However, the Biden-Harris administration has faced a border crisis of unprecedented proportions, with over 10 million illegal crossings since they took office, a stark contrast to the figures during Trump’s presidency.

The attempt to portray Harris as a border security advocate comes as a stark contrast to the reality of her tenure as Vice President. Tasked by President Joe Biden in 2021 with addressing the root causes of migration, Harris has faced significant criticism as border crossings have surged to record levels. The administration’s decision to end DNA testing at the border, a tool used to prevent the trafficking of unaccompanied minors, has further fueled concerns about their handling of the situation.

Under the Biden-Harris administration, the southern and northern borders have seen an estimated 1.7 million "gotaways"—illegal immigrants who evade capture—since 2021. This figure dwarfs the 415,000 gotaways reported during the entirety of Trump’s term from 2018 to 2020. These alarming statistics highlight the ongoing challenges facing the administration as it tries to regain control over the border.

With immigration and border security ranking as top concerns for voters heading into the November election, the Harris campaign’s pivot is likely a response to the mounting pressure to address these issues. The question remains whether this new messaging will resonate with voters who have seen the reality of the administration’s border policies over the past few years.

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