As former President Donald Trump faces legal proceedings in New York, his super PAC has returned to the airwaves after a month-long hiatus with a hard-hitting attack ad in Pennsylvania. The ad, which coincides with President Joe Biden's visit to the state, takes aim at Biden's immigration policies.
Trump and his Republican allies are making immigration a focal point of the upcoming 2024 campaign, leveraging public dissatisfaction with the Biden administration's handling of the issue. The ad was released on the same day the Senate began considering articles of impeachment against Biden's Homeland Security Secretary Alexander Mayorkas, particularly criticizing his approach to the southern border.
The ad highlights a 2022 case in Maryland where an undocumented immigrant, a known member of the MS-13 gang, assaulted and murdered a 20-year-old autistic woman. It blames the tragedy on what it calls 'Biden's weak border policies,' alleging that the perpetrator was released into the community due to lax enforcement.
The ad warns of the dangers posed by criminal immigrants and calls for stricter border controls to protect American communities. It underscores the broader Republican effort to hold the Biden administration accountable for its immigration policies.
Mayorkas, who is facing impeachment proceedings, has been a central figure in the GOP's criticism of the administration's border management. While the Biden administration has defended Mayorkas' record, it has also implemented tougher immigration measures in response to Republican pressure, including asylum restrictions and border closures during migrant surges.
The ad marks the first major campaign effort by the pro-Trump super PAC since mid-March, signaling a renewed focus on immigration as a key issue. The group has allocated significant resources to airing the ad in Pennsylvania, coinciding with Biden's visit, and has additional ad placements in Wisconsin and Georgia.
Overall, the super PAC has spent over $42 million on advertising since the start of the 2024 presidential race, reflecting the importance of immigration in shaping the political discourse leading up to the election.
