WASHINGTON – Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump escalated his personal attacks on his Democratic rival Kamala Harris on Sunday, repeating the insult that she is “mentally retarded” while saying she should be “impeached and prosecuted.”

Trump’s rally in Erie, Pennsylvania, had a similar theme to the event the day before, which he described as a “dark speech.” He told the cheering crowd that Harris was responsible for the “invasion” on the U.S.-Mexico border and “should be impeached and prosecuted for her actions.”

“Fraud 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 judicial system is supposed to be protected from political influence. In recent weeks, he has threatened to sue Google for allegedly prioritizing “good stories” about Harris, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and anyone he says are “embroiled in unscrupulous behavior” related to the upcoming election.

Trump has long threatened legal action against his rivals, including President Joe Biden and his 2016 rival, Hillary Clinton. This month, he threatened jail for those “engaged in unscrupulous conduct” during the election, including election workers, lawyers, political activists, donors and voters, once again sowing doubts about the integrity of the election even though fraud is very rare

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. There are three other cases pending against him, including one that was dismissed by a federal judge following a Supreme Court ruling granting presidents broad immunity. The Department of Justice is appealing. The remaining cases are suspended.

If he wins the election, he could potentially pardon himself or order the Justice Department to close the federal investigation against him.

On Sunday, he admitted he might lose in November: “If she wins, it won’t be very pleasant for me, but I don’t care.”

His mockery of the first black woman and person of South Asian descent to lead a major party’s ticket as “stupid”, “weak”, “dumb as nails” and “lazy” is also a sign of how nasty and personal the last part of the campaign can be .

His allies urged him publicly and privately to talk instead about the economy, immigration and other issues.

“I just think it’s a better solution to pursue a case where her policies are destroying the country,” Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said Sunday on CNN’s “State of the Union” when asked about Trump’s comments. They are wildly liberal.”

Asked whether he approved of personal attacks on Harris, Rep. Tom Emmer, R-Minn., deflected during an interview on ABC’s “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 college, and has consistently identified as both black and South Asian throughout her political career.

“I already called him when he did the only interview where he questioned her racial identity, and now he’s questioning her mental competency,” Hogan told CBS’ “Face 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 it was “the 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. As for his insults, Molnar said: “I think everyone should have some decency when speaking about other candidates, and I don’t think either party is necessarily innocent in this case. There’s a lot of slingshot back and forth.

At a rally in Erie, Trump said that if he took office, the “invasion” would end and deportations would begin.

“Thousands of migrants from the most dangerous countries are destroying the character of small towns and leaving local communities in anguish and despair,” he said, speaking of communities in Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania that have become battlefields.

Last month, the GOP leader said he had the “right” to make personal attacks on Harris.

“In terms of personal attacks, I am very angry with her for what she did to the country,” he told a news conference at the time. “I’m very angry with her for using the justice system against me and other people, very angry with her. “I think I have the right to make personal attacks.”

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Associated Press writer Jill Colvin contributed from New York.