HFA Statement on Trump’s Anti-Immigrant Speech

Following Donald Trump’s anti-immigrant speech in Arizona on Wednesday, Hillary for America National Latino Vote Director Lorella Praeli released the following statement:

“In his darkest speech yet, Donald Trump doubled down on his anti-immigrant rhetoric and attempted to divide communities by pitting people against each other and demonizing immigrants. Trump committed to sending a new “Deportation Task Force” into American communities, rescinding the President’s executive actions to protect DREAMers and their families, building a wall that he continues to claim will be paid for by Mexico, and made clear that “Operation Wetback” was not severe enough. The only immigrants allowed in the future are those that pass Donald Trump’s own test of ‘desirability.’

Donald Trump once again showed us that he will continue his decades-long record of divisiveness and campaign of hate by pledging to forcibly remove every single undocumented immigrant from our country. He showed us, very clearly, what’s at stake in this election by painting a picture of his idea of America: one in which immigrants are not welcomed and one in which innocent families are torn apart.”

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News Source: The New York Times

Hillary Clinton Talks about American Exceptionalism at American Legion Convention

On Wednesday, Hillary Clinton addressed the American Legion National Convention in Cincinnati, Ohio. During her speech, Clinton framed the United States as “exceptional” and a “leader” in the world. “When we say America is exceptional, it doesn’t mean that people from other places don’t feel deep national pride, just like we do. It means that we recognize America’s unique and unparalleled ability to be a force for peace and progress, a champion for freedom and opportunity,” she said.

Clinton argued that the United States and the world cannot afford the election of Donald Trump. Blasting Trump she said, “You don’t build a coalition by insulting our friends or acting like a loose cannon. You do it by putting in the slow, hard work of building relationships.” She went on to criticize Trump’s visit with Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto today saying that one visit does not make up for months of his divisive rhetoric. Clinton wrapped up saying that she believes that this election is “about how to make things better,” and, as president, she vowed to do just that. A video of Clinton’s speech is below.

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News Source: The New York Times, CNN, ABC News

Kaine Wraps up Pennsylvania Campaign Swing in Bethlehem

Today, Tim Kaine wrapped up a two day campaign tour in Pennsylvania. His first stop was lunch at the Hispanic Center of the Lehigh Valley. He helped serve meals to senior clients, speaking to many of them in Spanish. He briefly spoke about Donald Trump’s visit with Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto and his divisive language on immigration.

Kaine then spoke at a public rally in Bethlehem where he focused on jobs and Hillary Clinton’s plans to improve the country’s infrastructure. Kaine also attacked Trump for failing to release his tax returns and his lack of a clear policy. He said, “We’ve been out talking about jobs, while Donald Trump has been talking about, you know, ridiculing the Virginia family whose child was killed in action defending his friends, or fighting with this or that Republican leader he will or will not endorse, or talking about the walls he’ll build or the alliances he’ll shred. We’ve been out talking about jobs, we’ve been talking about how you grow an economy that works for everybody.” A video from the event is below.

Meanwhile, in Washington, DC, a fundraiser was held featuring a conversation with former Secretary of State Dr. Madeleine K. Albright. Also attending the event was Max Weinberg, drummer for the E Street Band and member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

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News Source: The Morning Call

John Podesta on Trump’s Meeting with President Nieto

Hillary for America Chair John Podesta released the following information after Donald Trump’s meeting with Mexican President Peña Nieto.

Update (8/31): After reports that the Mexican President refused to pay for Trump’s wall, John Podesta added, “It turns out Trump didn’t just choke, he got beat in the room and lied about it.”

“Donald Trump has made his outlandish policy of forcing Mexico to pay for his giant wall the centerpiece of his campaign. But at the first opportunity to make good on his offensive campaign promises, Trump choked. What we saw today from a man who claims to be the ultimate ‘deal maker’ is that he doesn’t have the courage to advocate for his campaign promises when he’s not in front of a friendly crowd. We know who he is. After today’s trip, we still know where Trump stands: an immigration plan that would deport 16 million people, end birthright citizenship, repeal DACA/DAPA and build a $25 billion wall and stick the American taxpayers with the bill.”

TRUMP SAID GETTING MEXICO TO PAY FOR THE WALL WOULD BE “EASY”

Trump: “We’re Going To Build The Wall And Mexico Is Going To Pay For The Wall, Believe Me, One Hundred Percent. Believe Me. That’ll Be Very Easy. That Will Be Very, Very Easy. Politicians Think We’re Joking, We Don’t Joke. We Don’t Joke.” TRUMP: “We’re going to build the wall and Mexico is going to pay for the wall, believe me, one hundred percent. Believe me. That’ll be very easy. That will be very, very easy. Politicians think we’re joking, we don’t joke. We don’t joke. This is a movement. This is a movement, and movements don’t joke. Believe me. It’s getting worse now as thousands of recent border crossers are being relocated to the State of Virginia, and you don’t know who they are, you don’t know where they come from.” [Trump Campaign Rally, Fredericksburg VA, 8/20/16; VIDEO 33:34]

Trump: “We’re Going To Build The Wall. That Wall Will Go Up So Fast, Your Head Will Spin. And You’ll Say, ‘You Know, He Meant It.’ And You Know What Else I Mean? Mexico Is Going To Pay For The Wall.” “Responding to chants of ‘Build that wall,’ Trump assured the crowd that he would seal the southern border, a plan that is popular among his overwhelmingly white loyalists but offensive to many Latinos and Asians whose votes he needs in Colorado, Nevada and Florida. ‘Don’t worry. We’re going to build the wall,’ he said. ‘That wall will go up so fast, your head will spin. And you’ll say, “You know, he meant it.” And you know what else I mean? Mexico is going to pay for the wall.’” [Los Angeles Times, 8/22/16]

TRUMP WAS WILLING TO START A TRADE WAR WITH MEXICO OVER PAYING FOR THE WALL

Trump On What He Would Do If Mexico Would Not Pay For A Wall: “I Don’t Mind Trade Wars.” BLITZER: “If the — if the Mexicans don’t pay for the wall, will you start a trade war with Mexico?” TRUMP: “Well, you know, I don’t mind trade wars when we’re losing $58 billion a year, you want to know the truth. We’re losing so much. We’re losing so much with Mexico and China — with China, we’re losing $500 billion a year. And then people say, ‘don’t we want to trade?’ I don’t mind trading, but I don’t want to lose $500 billion. I don’t want to lose $58 billion.” [Republican Primary Debate, Houston TX, 2/25/16]

Trump Suggested He Would Be Willing To Cut Off Trade With Mexico If They Did Not Pay For The Border Wall. TRUMP: “We have a trade deficit with Mexico, $58 billion a year.  The wall is going to cost approximately $10 billion.  Believe me, they will pay in one form or another–” MATTHEWS: “If not — or else what?… So we cut off Japan, we cut off — this is the — this is your strategy in every case.  We could walk, no more trade with Mexico.”  TRUMP: “You have to always– Oh, absolutely.” MATTHEWS: “No more troops in Europe.” TRUMP:  “And by the way, when I say no more trade, once you — once they know that you are really willing to go that extra length, there will always be trade, but we’ll make good deals.  We’re making the worst trade deals.” MATTHEWS: “Yeah, but the bottom line is always we walk.” TRUMP: “You have to be able to walk, yes.  It’s unlikely that you’ll have to, but you have to be able to walk.” [MSNBC Town Hall, MSNBC, Green Bay WI, 3/30/16; VIDEO 00:58:41]

TRUMP HAS SUGGESTED TENSIONS WITH MEXICO OVER PAYING FOR THE WALL COULD BECOME PHYSICAL

Trump On Whether He Would Go To War With Mexico To Make Them Pay For The Wall: “When I Rejuvenate Our Military, Mexico’s Not Going To Be Playing With Us With War, That I Can Tell You.” WOODWARD: “If they say no, would you be willing to go to war to make sure we get the money to pay for this wall?” TRUMP: “Trust me, Bob, when I rejuvenate our military, Mexico’s not going to be playing with us with war, that I can tell you. Mexico isn’t playing with us with war. Look, I have great relationships with the Mexican people. Look, you can see I’m winning every single poll in these primaries when they go out, when the polls come back with Hispanics. I have thousands of Hispanics that work for me and tens of thousands that have worked for me over the years.” [Morning Joe, MSNBC, 3/9/16]

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HFA Statement on Trump’s Meeting with President Peña Nieto

On Wednesday, Donald Trump met with Mexican President Peña Nieto. Trump has been critical of Mexico and Mexican immigrants since he launched his campaign. Hillary for America Communications Director Jennifer Palmieri released the following statement:

“From the first days of his campaign, Donald Trump has painted Mexicans as ‘rapists’ and criminals and has promised to deport 16 million people, including children and U.S. citizens. He has said we should force Mexico to pay for his giant border wall.  He has said we should ban remittances to families in Mexico if Mexico doesn’t pay up. What ultimately matters is what Donald Trump says to voters in Arizona, not Mexico, and whether he remains committed to the splitting up of families and deportation of millions.”

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HFA Statement on Trump’s Plan to Deport Every Undocumented Immigrant

Hillary for America Communications Director Jennifer Palmieri released the following statement reacting to Donald Trump’s plan to deport undocumented immigrants:

“Donald Trump reinforced today that he would deport 16 million people, including every undocumented immigrant and American citizens born here to undocumented parents.  Confirming what we’ve seen from the start of his campaign: Donald Trump will be Donald Trump. No one can change his hateful rhetoric or dangerous policies to send a deportation force into American communities, rescind DACA and DAPA, end birthright citizenship, and even ban remittances to families in Mexico in order to help build his giant wall. He may try to disguise his plans by throwing in words like “humane”  or ” fair,” but the reality remains that Trump’s agenda echoes the extreme right’s will–one that is fueling a dangerous movement of hatred across the country.

Enough is enough. Donald Trump must stop playing games with the lives of law-abiding immigrant families in order to save his campaign. These are families who contribute to the greatness of our country and that need a President who will fight to keep them together–not someone who will denigrate them and tear them apart.”

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Hillary for America Releases new Campaign Videos

Hillary for America released four new campaign videos focusing on Donald Trump. The first two focus on American manufacturing and how products with Trump’s name are made in China, Mexico, India, and other foreign countries. The third video criticizes Trump’s hateful rhetoric toward immigrants including his plan to build a wall with Mexico and deport 16 million people. The final criticizes Trump’s message to African-American communities. The videos are below.

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Hillary Clinton Continues to Focus on Jobs During Florida Campaign Events

Hillary Clinton continued to speak in Florida today about her plans to help small businesses, bolster manufacturing, and create new jobs. She began in St. Petersburg where she toured the local 3 Daughters Brewery. She briefly spoke to employees and the press before heading to The Coliseum in downtown St. Petersburg. There she spoke to a crowd of 2,000 about her plans to ensure the wealthy pay their fair share in taxes, repair the country’s infrastructure, invest in clean energy, and create new jobs by investing in American made products. Clinton criticized Donald Trump’s economic speech, delivered earlier in the day. She said, “It’s really outrageous to me that somebody who claims to be so successful  has done it by stiffing hard working Americans.” During the event, Clinton advised the crowd, “Don’t let a friend vote Trump.” A combined video from both events is below.

Clinton then spoke at a rally in Kissimmee where she continued to go after Trump’s economic speech. She criticized his plan saying that he “hasn’t offered any plans on infrastructure besides building a wall and having Mexico pay for it.” Clinton continued to focus on her broad plan to upgrade the country’s infrastructure, focus on small businesses, and bolster American made manufacturing. A plan that many economists have said will create millions of jobs nationwide. She made it clear that her plan is intended to help everyone whereas; Trump is focused on helping the one percent. A video from the rally is below.

In New York City, a fundraising event was held on behalf of Hillary for America. The event featured a conversation with Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and actor Audra McDonald.

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News Source: WJXT, The Tampa Bay Times, WFLA,

Hillary Clinton Kicks Off Five Days of California Campaigning

After delivering her major foreign policy speech in San Diego, Clinton continued her campaign in California by speaking at a Get Out the Vote rally in El Centro. During her speech, Clinton praised the area’s agricultural economy and spoke about her plans for comprehensive immigration reform in addition to a number of her platform points including continuing to expand health care and her vow to work with Republicans who are willing to work with her. She then asked for voters’ support in next Tuesday’s primary saying that the 2016 election is going to be very important. A video from the event is below.

Clinton wrapped up the day by visiting with community leaders in Perris. During the round table conversation, Clinton spoke about the importance of education and her dedication to lowering the cost of higher education and expanding early childhood education. She stressed making education affordable for everyone saying, “I don’t offer free college to everybody. I figure, if you can afford it — if you are billionaire or a millionaire — you should pay for it. But that’s not true to most middle-class working or striving families. And I want to get back to where college is affordable and available for more people.” Clinton then took questions from those in attendance. A video from the event will be added when/if available.

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News Source: The Desert Sun, Redding Spotlight

Clinton Goes After Trump in Foreign Policy Speech

Hillary Clinton delivers a speech on national security in San Diego. REUTERS/Mike Blake

On Thursday, Hillary Clinton delivered a major foreign policy speech in San Diego, California. The speech was her first in a series of five days of campaigning across the state. The central message of Clinton’s speech was that Republican nominee Donald Trump is a danger to America’s domestic and foreign policies. The speech was full of one liners and attacking Trump’s policies and character. “Donald Trump’s ideas are not just different, they are dangerously incoherent. They’re not even really ideas, just a series of bizarre rants, personal feuds and outright lies,” she told the crowd of supporters. She went after Trump’s “thin skin”, his “dangerous” policies, his Twitter rants, and his history with foreign leaders saying, “He praises dictators like Vladimir Putin and picks fights with our friends, including the British prime minister, the mayor of London, the German chancellor, the president of Mexico and the pope.”

Clinton then spoke about her experience as First Lady, Senator, and Secretary of State. She covered a few of her platform points, but her primary argument is that the 2016 election is about a choice of “two very different visions” of America’s future. “One that’s angry, afraid and based on the idea that America is fundamentally weak and in decline. The other is hopeful, generous, and confident in the knowledge that America is great, just like we always have been,” she said. A video of Clinton’s speech is below.

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News Source: Business Insider, Reuters