Prairie du Chien, Wis. – Former President Donald Trump sought again to link Vice President Kamala Harris to illegal border crossings, speaking in a western river town where he said she could never be forgiven for “erasing our border.”

A day after Harris discussed immigration at the U.S.-Mexico border, Trump spoke to a crowd in the Wisconsin town of 5,000 people just across the Mississippi River from Iowa, claiming the Democratic nominee was responsible for migrants who have come into the country illegally and have committed crimes.

“Kamala Harris can never be forgiven for her erasing our border and she must never be allowed to become president of the United States,” Trump said. “She’s letting in people who are going to walk into your house, break into your door,” he said.

Trump is hoping frustration over illegal immigration will translate to votes in Wisconsin and other crucial swing states. The Republican nominee has denounced people who cross the U.S.-Mexico border as “poisoning the blood of the country” and vowed to stage the largest deportation operation in American history if elected.

“I will liberate Wisconsin from the mass migrant invasion,” he said. “We’re going to liberate the country.”

But Trump also intensified his personal attacks against Harris, insulting her as “mentally impaired.”

“If a Republican did what she did, that Republican would be impeached and removed from office … Joe Biden became mentally impaired. Kamala was born that way,” he said.

And he also professed not to understand what Harris meant when she said he was responsible for taking children from their parents. Under his administration, Trump separated children from their parents at the U.S.-Mexico border in a policy that was condemned globally as inhumane and one that Trump himself ended.

On the Wisconsin rally stage with Trump were three mugshots of men in the U.S. illegally accused of a crime, including Alejandro Jose Coronel Zarate, a case Trump cited in his speech.

Wisconsin Republicans in recent days have held up the story of Coronel Zarate’s arrest in Prairie du Chien as more evidence that people in the country illegally are committing crimes across the United States, not just in southern border states. Prosecutors charged Coronel Zarate on Sept. 18 with sexual assault, child abuse, strangulation and domestic abuse.

Police Chief Kyle Teynor posted statements on Facebook saying that Coronel Zarate is not a U.S. citizen and that he had two fake immigration documents, including a fake Social Security card. The chief added that Coronel Zarate’s tattoos indicate he’s affiliated with the Tren de Aragua gang, which started in Venezuelan prisons and is posing a growing threat in the U.S.

Speaking to the crowd Saturday, Teynor stressed to the crowd that Coronel Zarate is the only Venezuelan gang member his agency has encountered, but the violence his two alleged victims suffered at his hands earlier this month was very real.

Court records show Coronel Zarate was previously charged in Madison, the state capital, in December with strangulation, false imprisonment, battery and disorderly conduct. According to a criminal complaint in that case, Coronel Zarate was driving with a female friend in November and attacked her when she tried to get out of the car. The complaint does not say why. The woman told investigators that they were just acquaintances and Coronel Zarate was homeless.

Police in Madison said that Coronel Zarate allegedly stole a car and fled before he could be questioned. He was arrested in Minneapolis a day after the alleged attack but was released from jail there. Asked why, Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Megan Larson told a reporter to file a request for Coronel Zarate’s jail records. The Associated Press filed such a request but government agencies typically take months to fulfill them.

Crawford County Sheriff Sheriff Dale McCullick also addressed the crowd, and said he was sure Trump would solve the border problem and urged people to vote for Trump.

Republicans including U.S. Sen. Derrick Van Orden, who is from Prairie du Chien, have criticized authorities in both Minneapolis and Madison for letting Coronel Zarate go, saying they essentially allowed him to attack the woman in Prairie du Chien. They have accused both jurisdictions of being sanctuaries for people in the country illegally.

Speaking Saturday, Van Orden said Trump was the only one who could restore order.

“You’re going to see the one man who has enough strength and courage of conviction to stand up to anyone up to and including being shot in the head for us,” he said.

Michelle Marie Dietrich, a public defender representing Coronel Zarate in the Prairie du Chien case, declined to comment. Charlotte Wynes, another public defender representing him in Prairie du Chien along with Dietrich, didn’t respond to a voicemail seeking comment. Michelle Brandemuehl, a public defender representing him in Madison, also didn’t respond to a voicemail message seeking comment.

Trump has repeatedly portrayed migrants as criminals and blamed Harris for failing to stem an unprecedented surge in illegal immigration, though border crossings have fallen since President Joe Biden instituted an executive order limiting asylum claims. Democrats, in turn, have blamed Trump for persuading allies in Congress to kill bipartisan legislation that would have funded more border agents and given the Homeland Security secretary authority to prohibit entry for most people over a daily limit.

The No. 13 USC Trojans will host the Wisconsin Badgers in their Big Ten conference home opener on Saturday, Sept. 28.

The game is a sell out and the stakes are high for the 2-1 Trojans, who will likely be missing a few key players due to injury.

USC quarterback Miller Moss and coach Lincoln Riley are looking to bounce back and make a statement that they belong in the College Football Playoff discussion after losing to the Michigan Wolverines in Week 4.

Wisconsin hopes to adjust after the Badgers lost their starting quarterback Tyler Van Dyke to a season ending knee injury in their loss to Alabama. Quarterback Braedyn Locke will start in his place. The Badgers will also be without defensive lineman James Thompson Jr. – who is out for the season with an upper body injury.

What is the latest injury update on USC tight end Lake McRee, safety Akili Arnold and receiver Makai Lemon?

The good news on McRee’s injury is that it is not season-ending, as initially feared.

“Lake’s a great player,” said Riley. “Hate not to have him here right away but we’ll get him back soon.”

McRee went down with a knee injury after taking a low hit from Michigan cornerback Jyaire Hill in the third quarter last Saturday. McRee is expected to return at some point this season, but his status for Wisconsin is questionable.

The safety Arnold got banged up against Michigan but his availability looks promising.

“He’s been limited early this week, but hopeful to have him,” Riley said about Arnold’s availability for the game vs. Wisconsin Badgers.

A very scary moment in Week 4 – Lemon had to take an ambulance to the University of Michigan hospital after suffering an apparent head injury in the first quarter against the Wolverines. Lemon was injured on punt coverage, when he suffered a nasty hit. He was able to walk off the field but appeared shaken up.

“He’s doing good,” Riley said on Monday. “He’s rebounded back well, I think as good as you could possibly hope for with that scary of a situation… You obviously never want to see that. Thankfully bounced back well, was able to fly home with us that night and is doing very well.”

Lemon is a sophomore for USC and has four receptions for 45 yards and one touchdown in the Trojans’ first two games. Last season, Lemon played both wide receiver and cornerback. On offense, he recorded six receptions for 88 yards (14.7 avg.) with a long of 40 yards. He also recorded one tackle.

Every Big Ten team is required to submit an official injury report two hours before kickoff and the Trojans have a relatively clean bill of health as they enter the game vs. the Badgers.

Will update with the official report.

The Badgers face the tough task of defending Moss and his offensive weapons. Moss is off to a hot start, throwing for 890 yards, five touchdowns and just one pick through three games. Moss leads a USC passing offense that ranks No. 1 in the Big Ten Conference (318.7). Keep an eye on running back Woody Marks, who has 271 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns. 

HOW TO WATCH

USC will host the Wisconsin Badgers in the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum at 12:30 p.m. PT. on Saturday, September 28th. The TV broadcast will be on CBS.

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An off-duty security guard accidentally shot himself at a Wisconsin Lutheran High School football game Friday night, sending the players and fans running for the exits, the school said in a statement.

The guard, who is not affiliated with the school, received medical attention and his injuries are not life-threatening, according to school officials.

Milwaukee police didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment late Friday night. The incident took place at Zeitler Stadium, which is just south of the school located near North 84th Street and West Bluemound Road.

The finish of the game, between Wisconsin Lutheran and Milwaukee Lutheran, was called off as a result of the incident. Wisconsin Luthern was leading 42-0 at the time.

WISN-TV cameras were rolling at the football game when the incident took place. Following the “pop” sound, players on the field immediately ran for cover while students and parents in the stands scrambled for the exits.

The PA announcer can be heard saying, “Everybody hold tight.”

The school said it would be reviewing safety protocols. “We pride ourselves on maintaining a safe environment for our students and all who are involved with our football program,” the statement states.

About a year ago, shots erupted at a Milwaukee Lutheran football game against Pius XI Catholic, similarly sending people running for cover. No one was injured in the incident.

Zac Bellman contributed to this report.