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Pence Discusses Border Security, COVID-19 At Flagstaff Rally

Angela Gervasi

Vice President Mike Pence spoke to an enthusiastic crowd at the Flagstaff-Pulliam Airport Friday afternoon days ahead of the Nov. 3 general election. He spoke about border security, the economy and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Pence acknowledged the rise in COVID-19 cases across Arizona in recent weeks.

"I want to assure you,” Pence said, “we're going to continue to move heaven and earth to make sure that our doctors and nurses, and here in Arizona and everywhere in America, that every family has access to the healthcare that we'd want any member of our family to have."

He added the Trump administration would continue to protect the vulnerable, though he didn’t provide specifics.

During the rally, Pence touted support for law enforcement, and told voters that Joe Biden would cease construction of a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border.

“I couldn't be more proud to serve alongside a president who has stood every day with the men and women who serve on the thin blue line of law enforcement,” Pence said amid cheers. “And that includes the men and women of customs and border protection and ICE.”

Pence told the crowd that under the Trump administration, border patrol saw fewer apprehensions along the U.S-Mexico border this year. Border apprehensions did dip during the pandemic. However, a recent report from the Pima County Medical Examiner showed that migrants are continuing to cross into the United States, and that deaths in the Arizona desert have hit a seven-year-high.

Governor Doug Ducey, Senator Martha McSally, and Navajo Nation Vice President Myron Lizer attended the rally. In a speech, Lizer pointed to the federal CARES Act, which allocated more than $700 million to the Navajo Nation.

 

Credit Angela Gervasi
Supporters wave to Air Force Two at a rally led by Vice President Mike Pence.

The outdoor rally brought out a full crowd of supporters.

Several of Pence’s staff members tested positive for the coronavirus earlier this week. Pence, however, continued along the campaign trail, making stops in Reno, Flagstaff, and later today, Tucson, according to the Trump campaign. Pence tested negative for the virus on Sunday, according to the New York Times.