In a striking statement on Tuesday, former President Donald Trump announced a plan to seize the assets of criminal gangs and drug cartels, reallocating these funds to create a compensation program for victims of migrant crime if he returns to the White House.
This announcement was made just one week before Election Day, and it directly addresses key issues like immigration and crime that are on the minds of many voters in the 2024 election cycle.
Speaking at Mar-a-Lago, Trump detailed his plan, stating, “For the first time under my administration, we will be seizing the assets of the criminal gangs and drug cartels.” His goal is to divert these seized resources into a fund designed to compensate those impacted by crimes related to illegal immigration.
“The government will help in the restoration,” Trump explained, asserting a commitment to support both victims and law enforcement efforts to secure the border and address crime.
The emphasis on crime and immigration comes as surveys reveal these are pivotal concerns for the American electorate, along with inflation and the economy. Trump’s approach highlights the stark contrast between his policies and those of his primary 2024 rival, Vice President Kamala Harris, who, as part of the Biden administration, has struggled to curb illegal immigration despite being tasked in 2021 with addressing its “root causes.”
Many Americans have become increasingly frustrated with border security challenges, with recent Department of Homeland Security data showing that hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrants residing in the U.S. as of July are classified as serious offenders.
In addition to immigration, Trump contrasted his crime policies with Harris’s support for controversial measures, including the “defund the police” movement and a bail fund that assisted those arrested during the 2020 George Floyd protests.
His statements painted Harris as a public official whose decisions have contributed to increasing violence and lawlessness. “Kamala is grossly incompetent — a total train wreck who has destroyed everything in her path,” he argued, emphasizing the high stakes of the 2024 election.
Vice President Harris: When I am president we will quickly remove those who arrive here unlawfully, prosecute the cartels, and give border patrol the support they need. And I will work with Congress to pass immigration reform, including an earned path to citizenship for… pic.twitter.com/NHfNYTpNfm
— Kamala HQ (@KamalaHQ) October 30, 2024
Furthermore, Trump hinted at more aggressive measures against cartels, alluding to the potential for targeted airstrikes if Mexico fails to curb the flow of fentanyl. Citing the enormous toll of drug-related deaths in the U.S., he expressed frustration with the Mexican government’s handling of cartel operations.