The video, which accuses Harris of supporting criminals, was shared by Trump with the caption “Criminals For Harris,” sparking a wave of reactions that ranged from criticism to irony, given Trump’s own recent criminal conviction.
The one-minute video, produced by the pro-Trump group ‘Make America Great Again Inc.,’ alleges that Harris, during her time as a prosecutor, freed three individuals—Edwin Ramos, Roni Aguilera, and Alexander Izaguir—who were labeled as “illegal immigrants” and convicted criminals.
The narrator in the video questions, “What do these criminals all have in Kamala?” and claims that Harris released them back into the community. The video further accuses Harris of advocating for policies such as defunding the police, eliminating cash bail, and granting citizenship to millions of undocumented immigrants.
The video’s release comes at a time when Trump himself is facing legal challenges, having been convicted in the hush money payment case. This context led to a flurry of responses on social media, with some users mocking Trump for seemingly endorsing Harris.
One user commented, “BREAKING – Republican presidential hopeful Donald Trump officially endorses Kamala Harris! Trump, a convicted felon, wrote ‘Criminals for Kamala.'” Another added, “I did not have Trump joining Criminals for Kamala on my Bingo Card.”
Background on the cases highlighted in the video
The individuals mentioned in the video have varied and complex legal histories. Edwin Ramos was convicted in 2012 for the murder of Anthony Bologna and his sons in San Francisco. At the time, Harris, who was the San Francisco District Attorney, sought a life sentence without the possibility of parole, opting against the death penalty.
Alexander Izaguirre, an undocumented immigrant from Honduras, was involved in Harris’s ‘Back on Track’ program in 2008, which was designed to provide job training and opportunities for nonviolent offenders. However, a flaw in the program allowed Izaguirre to remain free, a point that the video exploits.
Roni Aguilera was convicted in 2013 for a gang-related attack in San Francisco, a crime he later bragged about during a recorded conversation with a government informant.
Public and political reactions
The video and Trump’s accompanying comments have sparked a debate about the former president’s motives and the message behind the post. Critics have pointed out the irony of a convicted felon accusing his opponent of supporting criminals, while supporters see it as a legitimate attack on Harris’s record as a prosecutor.