Branding Arizona’s political leadership as ineffective, Trump singled out Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs for reportedly failing to prevent a surge of migrants from entering the U.S. He described Arizona’s border management as a “disaster” and promised to “straighten it out” once in office.
“You have a governor that doesn’t know what the hell she’s doing,” Trump said. “We’re going to change it because your border is a disaster.”
Though he did not specify which aspects of Hobbs’ policy he opposed, Trump has repeatedly highlighted his intention to halt what he calls an “invasion” of migrants, accusing local and federal leaders of lax enforcement and inadequate deterrence.
Hobbs has insisted she is willing to collaborate with the incoming Trump administration to secure additional federal resources for the state’s border region while cautioning against “misguided policies” that harm residents.
“Border security was a core issue of the Trump campaign. I look forward to having conversations with the incoming president about Arizona’s needs … but I won’t tolerate attacks on Arizona families,” she said in November at a Nogales port of entry.
Hobbs sent about 40 National Guard members to Nogales to assist CBP with traffic direction at secondary search lanes, dismantling vehicles with contraband at the Mariposa border crossing, and supporting rail operations at the Dennis DeConcini crossing a few miles east.
Though he lives in Montana, 45-year-old AmericaFest attendee Jeremy Payne said Trump and Homan’s comments about the border resonated with him.
“I believe in having a strong and honorable border,” Payne said. “Immigrants should honor their host country by abiding by our rules and laws. We love immigrants but we want them to be legal. We don’t want them to break laws.”
Payne said he wishes the mainstream media would be more precise about characterizing Trump’s stance on the border, which is similar to a homeowner who wants visitors to respect their rules.
Similarly, 23-year-old Jimmie Guy, a Glendale resident who works in industrial irrigation, said he works with a lot of people from Mexico who went through legal routes to be able to work in the U.S. Guy, who attended the event with his two brothers, said he doesn’t think it’s fair that people try to flout the law.
Dallas resident Roxanne Bellows, 60, said “it’s despicable” what is happening on the border. “We are in danger,” said Bellows, who works in the construction industry and is currently working in San Diego.
Marc Mahler, a 54-year-old Phoenix resident, said he agrees with Trump on the border, too. And he doesn’t believe Hobbs has been effective on border issues.
“Other than the National Guard, she hasn’t been very vocal,” said Mahler, who works in the health industry. “She hasn’t said anything substantive.”
Mahler is a U.S. citizen now but he is originally from Canada.
“I did all the things you are supposed to do,” he said. “I am offended people are trying to jump the line. I have patriotism for this country and you should be vetted if you want to move here.”
