Prescott Valley, Arizona — Former President Donald Trump, during a campaign rally in battleground Arizona on Sunday, made a bold commitment to strengthen the United States Border Patrol as part of his closing message in the 2024 presidential race. Speaking to a packed crowd at the Findlay Toyota Center in Prescott Valley, Trump outlined a new plan to bolster border security by increasing the number of Border Patrol agents and providing additional benefits to retain current personnel.
Trump promised to hire 10,000 new Border Patrol agents, offer a 10% salary increase, and introduce a $10,000 signing and retention bonus for new and existing agents. “This will ensure we have the manpower needed to protect our borders and bring in new talent—truly great individuals,” he told his enthusiastic supporters. Trump also emphasized that Border Patrol agents have “good genetics,” echoing controversial remarks he has made in the past regarding immigrants and their backgrounds.
The former president urged Congress to approve the pay raise immediately, framing the plan as an urgent step toward securing the border. His speech largely focused on immigration, a topic that has been central to his campaign, where he continues to stoke fears about undocumented immigrants entering the country.
A History of Border Security Stances
While Trump pushes his aggressive border security platform, his record on the issue has drawn criticism. Earlier this year, he was responsible for scuttling a bipartisan border bill that aimed to increase the number of Border Patrol agents—a measure supported by the National Border Patrol Council, the very union that endorsed him on Sunday. The Trump campaign and the former president himself have often painted his opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris, as weak on immigration. However, Harris and her campaign have frequently highlighted Trump’s opposition to the bipartisan border bill, accusing him of undermining efforts to strengthen border security for political gain.
Criticism from the Harris Campaign
On Sunday, Harris’s campaign swiftly responded to Trump’s announcement, calling out what they described as a long record of “failed leadership and broken promises.” In a statement, Harris campaign spokesperson Matt Corridoni said, “Donald Trump told us Mexico would pay for his failed border wall. That was a lie. Then he made taxpayers pay for his failed border wall. Trump doesn’t care about solving problems, he only wants to run on one.”
The Harris campaign also criticized Trump for derailing the bipartisan border bill, stating that his actions have directly harmed border security. Harris, who made her first visit to the U.S.-Mexico border as a presidential candidate in September, has consistently accused Trump of preferring to campaign on the immigration issue rather than finding real solutions.
Union Support and Political Landscape
Despite criticism from the Harris campaign, Trump received official endorsement from the National Border Patrol Council on Sunday, a significant political victory as he ramps up his focus on border security in the final stretch of the campaign. The union, which represents Border Patrol agents, previously endorsed Trump during his presidency and continues to back his hardline immigration policies.
Trump’s continued focus on border security stands in contrast to the economic concerns voiced by many Americans. According to a recent CNN poll conducted by SSRS, 41% of likely voters cited the economy as the most pressing issue heading into the election, while only 12% ranked immigration as their top concern. Nevertheless, Trump is betting on immigration to energize his base and drive voter turnout, especially in battleground states like Arizona.
Border Security as a Campaign Issue
Trump’s emphasis on immigration isn’t new. Throughout his 2016 and 2020 campaigns, border security and the construction of a border wall were central themes. While some sections of the wall were built during his presidency, many of his promises—like Mexico paying for the wall—never materialized. The Harris campaign has seized on these unfulfilled promises as a key point of attack, arguing that Trump’s rhetoric is more about inflaming tensions than solving the root issues.
In his Arizona rally, Trump doubled down on his message, insisting that stricter border policies are necessary to keep the country safe. His calls to expand the Border Patrol, increase their pay, and offer bonuses aim to underscore his commitment to the issue. Yet, the former president faces the challenge of convincing voters that immigration should take precedence over economic concerns, which polls consistently show to be top of mind for the electorate.
The Road Ahead
As the election nears, Trump is banking on his tough-on-immigration stance to resonate with his supporters. With the National Border Patrol Council backing him and his campaign heavily focused on securing the border, Trump aims to draw a sharp contrast between himself and Harris on this issue.
While immigration may not be the top priority for all voters, it remains a key element of Trump’s campaign strategy. The former president’s promise to hire more agents and increase their pay is part of a broader narrative aimed at portraying him as the candidate best equipped to handle national security concerns. Whether this message will resonate with a broader electorate amid ongoing economic challenges remains to be seen.
Conclusion
As Trump continues to press his case for border security, his latest proposal to bolster the Border Patrol reflects a familiar theme in his campaign—a hardline stance on immigration, an appeal to national security, and a push for policies that reflect his signature focus on law and order. However, with the economy looming as the most pressing issue for many voters, the success of his immigration-centric message in swaying undecided voters remains uncertain. For now, Trump’s focus on hiring more Border Patrol agents and increasing their pay is a key part of his final push toward election day.
