Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump arrives for a campaign event on Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in Erie, Pennsylvania (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

ERIE, Pa. (AP) – Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump escalated his personal attacks on his Democratic rival Kamala Harris on Sunday, repeating an insult that he “mentally retarded” while saying she should “impeached and accused.”
Trump’s rally in Erie, Pennsylvania, had similar themes to what he described as an event the day before “black speech”. On Sunday, he told cheering crowds that Harris was responsible “invasion” on the US-Mexico border and “She should be impeached and prosecuted for her actions.”
“Crooked Joe Biden has become mentally retarded.” he added. “Sad. But honestly, Kamala Harris lying there, I think she was born that way. There’s something wrong with Kamala. And I just don’t know what it is, but there’s definitely something missing. And you know what, everyone knows it.”
With just over a month until the election, Trump is escalating his use of personal and offensive attacks, even as some Republicans say he would be better off sticking to his findings. His suggestions regarding the prosecution of political enemies are particularly noticeable due to the departure from the norms in force in the US, in which the justice system is to be protected from political influence. In recent weeks, Trump has threatened to impeach Google for allegedly giving priority “good stories” about Harris and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg. Trump has long threatened legal action against his rivals, including President Joe Biden and his 2016 rival, Hillary Clinton. This month he vowed to put them in prison “engaged in unscrupulous behavior” this election, including election workers, lawyers, political activists, donors and voters, once again attempting to sow doubt about the integrity of the election. But it also has a lot of legal problems of its own. In May, he was convicted of falsifying business records in a hush money case pending in New York, and his sentencing is scheduled for November 26. Two other cases are pending – a federal case over his alleged role in the January 6, 2021 insurrection, and a state case in Georgia over his efforts to make up for a 2020 loss there to Biden. Prosecutors have appealed a federal judge’s dismissal of a case involving his use of secret documents. Trump claims that federal and state prosecutors are targeting him for political reasons, although there is no evidence that this is true. If he wins the election, Trump could potentially pardon himself in federal cases or order the Justice Department to close its investigation into him. On Sunday he admitted that he might lose in November: If she wins, it won’t be very pleasant for me, but I don’t care.
Trump ridiculed Harris, the first black woman and person of South Asian descent to lead a major party, as “stupid,” “weak,” “dumb as a rock” AND “lazy.” His allies urged him publicly and privately to talk instead about the economy, immigration and other issues.
“I just think it would be a better solution to press charges because her policies are destroying the country,” he added. said Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-C., on CNN “State of the Union” Sunday when asked about Trump’s comments. “They are wildly liberal.”
Asked whether he agreed with the personal attacks on Harris, Rep. Tom Emmer of Minnesota deflected during an interview on ABC “This week.”
“I think Kamala Harris is a bad choice for America.” said Emmer, who is helping Trump’s running mate J.D. Vance prepare for Tuesday’s vice presidential debate. “I think Kamala Harris is as bad, maybe even worse, than the administration we have witnessed over the last four years.”
When pressed, Emmer said: “I think we should stick to the issues. The problem is that Donald Trump already fixed it once. They broke it. He’s going to fix it again. These are problems.”
Former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, running for Senate as a moderate Republican, cited Trump’s false claims that Harris, the daughter of immigrants from Jamaica and India, had previously downplayed her black heritage. Harris attended Howard University, a historically black institution, and has consistently identified as both black and South Asian throughout her political career.
“I already called him when he had the only interview where he questioned her racial identity, and now he’s questioning her mental competency.” Hogan told CBS “Take on the nation.” “I think it’s offensive not only to the vice president but also to people who actually have mental disabilities.”
Harris has not commented on Trump’s recent attacks, but when asked about other comments, he said he had “Same old show. The same boring playbook we’ve heard about for years, with no plan for how it will meet the needs of the American people.”
Some Trump supporters said he often makes offensive remarks before Sunday’s rally. Still, they support his proposals to limit immigration and say he will handle the economy better.
“He says what’s on his mind, and sometimes he says it’s inappropriate.” said Jeffrey Balogh, 56, who attended the rally with two friends. “But he did his job. He did very well at it.”
Tamara Molnar said she thinks Trump is very strong on immigration. Regarding his insults, Molnar said: “I think everyone needs to have some decency when speaking about other candidates, and I don’t think either side is necessarily innocent in this case. There’s a lot of slingshot back and forth.
At a rally in Erie, Trump said: “invasion” will end and deportations will begin if he takes office.
“Thousands of migrants from the most dangerous countries are destroying the character of small towns and leaving local communities in anguish and despair,” he added. he said, talking about communities in Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania that became battlegrounds. Last month, the GOP leader said yes “titled” to personal attacks on Harris.
“In terms of personal attacks, I am very angry with her for what she has done to the country.” – he said at a press conference then. “I am very angry with her for using the justice system against me and other people. I’m very angry at her. I think I have the right to make personal attacks.”