The National Border Patrol Council (NBPC), representing 16,000 U.S. Border Patrol agents, unanimously endorsed former President Donald Trump during a rally in Prescott Valley, Arizona, on Sunday.
This marks a significant moment, as the council had historically refrained from endorsing candidates during primary elections until it first endorsed Trump in 2016.
Paul Perez, president of the NBPC, took the stage to express the union’s strong support for Trump and criticized Vice President Kamala Harris’s handling of border security.
Perez voiced concerns over what he described as an influx of unvetted individuals entering the country and the potential impact on national safety and security.
“If we allow Border Czar Harris to win this election, every city, every community in this great country is going to go to hell,” Perez stated. “The untold millions of people, unvetted, who she has allowed into this country that are committing murders, rapes, robberies, burglaries, and every other crime will continue to put our country in peril.”
He explained the need for leadership that prioritizes border security. “Only one man can fix that. That is Donald J. Trump,” Perez continued. “He has always stood with the men and women who protect this border, who put their lives on the line for this country.”
Perez concluded by highlighting the choice voters face in the upcoming election. “This November, we have a choice to make: continue the chaos, allow the criminal cartels to control the border, to allow drugs and fentanyl across our country, or put an end to it once and for all. On behalf of the 16,000 men and women represented by the National Border Patrol Council, we strongly support and endorse Donald J. Trump for President of the United States.”
Trump expressed his gratitude for the endorsement, calling it a “great honor.” He told the crowd, “They said it was unanimous. Thousands of people.” He praised the NBPC as an “incredible group of people” and reaffirmed his commitment to supporting border patrol agents.
Throughout the rally, Trump criticized Vice President Harris’s role as the administration’s “border czar” and vowed to implement stronger border security measures if elected.
He also touched on other topics, including his opposition to what he described as a “woke” military and his plans to address violent crime and support law enforcement.
Arizona, a key swing state with a significant border with Mexico, is poised to play a crucial role in the upcoming election.
Recent polls indicate a tight race between Trump and Harris in several battleground states.
A Wall Street Journal poll conducted from September 28 to October 8 showed that voters in Arizona lean slightly toward Harris, with a 48% to 46% split in her favor. However, Trump holds leads in states like Nevada and Pennsylvania.
On critical issues such as the economy, inflation, and immigration, voters indicated greater trust in Trump, according to the poll. Harris was favored on matters like housing affordability, abortion rights, health care, and empathy toward constituents.
As Election Day approaches on November 5, the endorsement from the National Border Patrol Council may bolster Trump’s campaign efforts, particularly among voters concerned about border security and immigration policies.
Trump concluded the rally by urging supporters to turn out on Election Day, stressing the importance of their votes in shaping the nation’s future. “We will restore safety, and we will restore justice in America,” he told the crowd.