****

In a recent interview on "The Hugh Hewitt Show," former President Donald Trump sharply criticized Vice President Kamala Harris for her stance on immigration and controversially suggested that some migrants possess “bad genes.” The interview aired Monday morning and Trump used the platform to blame Harris's policies for what he claims is an influx of criminals into the United States.

Trump accused Harris of being out of touch with reality, particularly spotlighting her immigration proposals regarding the southern border. "When you look at the things that she proposes, they're so far off she has no clue. How about allowing people to come to an open border, 13,000 of which were murderers," he stated. He went on to imply that many of these migrants had committed multiple murders and were now living freely in the U.S., attributing this to a genetic predisposition toward violence. "You know, now a murderer, I believe this, it's in their genes," Trump remarked.

However, the figures Trump cited appear to be misleading. A report from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) presented to Congress in September noted that 13,000 immigrants with homicide convictions were not in ICE detention. But according to NBC News, this figure excludes individuals detained by state or local authorities, and many of these individuals entered the U.S. before President Biden took office, with some coming in during Trump’s own presidency. Law enforcement officials also indicated that Trump’s claims lack comprehensive context and accuracy.

Border crossings have actually declined this year, attributed partly to policy measures implemented by the Biden administration, and partly to increased enforcement actions by Mexico, following U.S. pressure. Despite these facts, Trump has maintained his argument that Harris’s policies are to blame for an alleged surge in crime and has even suggested she should face impeachment and legal action for her role.

Trump's inflammatory rhetoric on immigration is not new. He famously launched his 2016 presidential campaign by asserting that Mexico was not “sending their best” people. More recently, he faced backlash, including from members of his own party, for comments about immigrants "poisoning the blood of our country," a phrase that drew parallels to language used by Adolf Hitler.

This isn't the first instance where Trump has made comments alluding to race science. In a 2020 rally in Minnesota, he praised a predominantly white crowd for having "good genes," referencing the controversial "racehorse theory," often associated with white supremacist ideology. "You have good genes. You know that, right? You have good genes. A lot of it is about the genes, isn't it, don't you believe?" Trump told the crowd.

Trump's continued use of such language raises critical questions about the implications of his statements and the broader impact on public discourse around immigration and race.