In a campaign appearance on Monday, Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris denounced her Republican opponent, former president Donald Trump, for his alarming power of speech, particularly his references to “the enemy within” the United States. Trump’s suggestion to use the military against domestic threats has emerged as a central issue in Harris’s renewed campaign efforts, where she characterizes him as a serious threat to American democracy.

At a rally in Erie, Pennsylvania, Harris played a clip of a Trump speech where he told supporters, “Those people are more dangerous—the enemy from within—than Russia,” and called for the possible deployment of the National Guard or military forces to deal with internal threats. Harris strongly condemned these remarks, warning that Trump’s tendency to view political dissenters as enemies of the state posed a danger to the country’s democratic fabric.

“A second Trump term would be a huge risk for America, and dangerous,” Harris declared, stressing that Trump’s rhetoric shows increasing instability. She also emphasized the need to safeguard democratic values, pointing out that Trump’s description of opponents as enemies signals his growing detachment from reality and democratic norms.

This pointed attack on Trump came during a visit to Pennsylvania, a crucial battleground state with 19 electoral college votes. Harris has prioritized Pennsylvania in her campaign, marking her tenth visit to the state since clinching the Democratic nomination in July. Polls suggest that both campaigns view the state as critical to winning the 2024 election, with both sides making significant efforts to sway undecided voters.

In her speech, Harris also renewed her demand for Trump to release his health records, a call she has repeatedly made in response to what she describes as his increasingly erratic behaviour. She noted that Trump’s speeches frequently veer off into bizarre tangents about fictional characters, like Hannibal Lecter, further fuelling concerns about his fitness for office.

Beyond her sharp critique of Trump, Harris spent the day in Pennsylvania focusing on outreach to Black voters, especially Black men, a group she sees as essential to her chances of winning the election. Her campaign has expressed concerns about a potential dip in enthusiasm among Black voters, and Harris is working to reverse that trend.

During a stop at a Black-owned coffee shop in Erie, Harris held a roundtable discussion with Black men, emphasizing her campaign’s commitment to addressing their specific concerns. She also used the event to unveil new policy proposals aimed at improving the economic and social well-being of Black men, part of a broader strategy to energize this key voting union.

Among the new initiatives, Harris announced a plan to offer 1 million fully forgivable small business loans of up to $20,000 for entrepreneurs in underserved communities. She also vowed to legalize recreational marijuana and ensure Black entrepreneurs have fair access to the emerging cannabis industry, acknowledging the disproportionate impact that past marijuana laws have had on Black communities.

Harris’s plan also includes expanding access to the cryptocurrency industry for Black Americans and launching a national health equity initiative to address diseases that disproportionately affect Black men, such as sickle cell anemia. These proposals reflect Harris’s broader effort to present concrete solutions to the economic and health challenges facing Black Americans.

As Election Day approaches, Harris’s dual strategy of challenging Trump’s factional rhetoric while promoting progressive policies aimed at Black voters could play a vital role in key battleground states like Pennsylvania.