Trump’s extreme vision for America hikes pressure on Harris

Donald Trump is envisioning a radical new White House term that would reshape America and have global consequences, while Vice President Kamala Harris faces just three weeks to prevent it as she tries to regain momentum in a tight race.

The Republican nominee has ramped up his extreme anti-immigrant rhetoric, making inflammatory claims, such as accusing legal Haitian migrants of eating pets in Ohio. At a rally in Arizona on Sunday, Trump falsely warned that if Harris were elected, the entire country would become a "migrant camp." Earlier, in Colorado, he pledged to launch the "largest deportation operation in U.S. history," vowing to close the border and stop what he called an "invasion of illegals."

Trump also escalated his threats against political rivals over the weekend, telling Fox News that he could use the military against "enemies from within." At a Saturday rally, he suggested a heckler exercising free speech should be forcefully dealt with, saying she should "get the hell knocked out of" her.

In another example of how he might wield presidential power for personal or political gain, Trump threatened to withhold federal disaster aid from Democratic-run California, while falsely accusing Harris and President Joe Biden of doing the same to Republican areas hit by hurricanes. He also called for CBS to lose its broadcasting license over an interview with Harris on "60 Minutes," which he declined to participate in. Meanwhile, his allies raised concerns about corporate retaliation, threatening to cancel Deloitte’s federal contracts after a leak of private messages from Senator JD Vance criticizing Trump.

New details have also surfaced about Trump’s relationship with foreign autocrats, including Vladimir Putin. It was revealed that Trump sent COVID-19 tests to Russia during the pandemic, despite downplaying the virus at home. While Trump’s past actions suggest he may not always follow through on all his statements, his threats should be taken seriously. With a Supreme Court ruling providing presidents with significant immunity, there are few barriers to unchecked executive power.

As Trump intensifies his extreme rhetoric, Harris is under growing pressure. Senior Democratic leaders, including former Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, are urging voters in key swing states, particularly Black and Latino communities, not to allow Trump to return to the White House.