Gov. Tim Walz highlights stakes of election in speech at Phoenix school

PHOENIX — Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Walz emphasized the stakes of this election at a Phoenix high school on Saturday, saying the Donald Trump running in 2024 is “not the Donald Trump of 2016.”

Speaking at Trevor G. Browne High School near 75th Avenue and Thomas Road, Walz had urgency about the 10 days left before Election Day when American voters will decide between Kamala Harris and himself or Trump and JD Vance.

“This Donald Trump stood there and said, and will not back down, he will send the United States military after people who do not support him. … I know I’m on the top of that list, but don’t kid yourself: You’re on that list too,” Walz warned.

He cited people who have worked close with Trump and regard the former president as a threat to the country, such as former Trump chief of staff John Kelly, who said Trump “met the definition of a fascist (and) would govern like a dictator if allowed.”

Walz expressed frustrations with Republican legislators for having “no courage … to do anything against Donald Trump,” before praising Mesa Mayor John Giles as one of the few Republicans who have been willing to stand up to him.

Walz and guest speakers offered messaging about he and Harris taking back pride in the country, claiming the Republican ticket “thinks they’re patriots when all they do is crap on this country.”

“When the Republican party of old talked about freedom, they meant it,” Walz later said. “Let’s be clear: That’s not these guys. When these guys talk about freedom, (they’re talking about) the freedom to be in your exam room, the freedom to tell you who you can marry, the freedom to tell you which books you can read. That’s who these guys are.”

The governor appealed to the teachers in the room as a former teacher himself with an analogy about the upcoming Election Day.

“I realize I’m preaching to the choir, but the reason I’m here is our recital is in 10 days, choir, and we need to sing,” Walz said.

Guest speaker and comedian George Lopez offered a contrast between candidates by saying the Harris-Walz ticket would place a former teacher in the vice presidency, while Trump, who Lopez said is “the guy who thinks that windmills cause cancer,” wants to dismantle the Department of Education.

“This is just the beginning of the greatest future this country has ever seen,” Lopez added before bringing Walz out.

Gov. Tim Walz, U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly campaign on Navajo Nation hoping to earn indigenous vote

Earlier on Saturday, Walz was joined by U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly on the Navajo Nation in Window Rock.

Walz emphasized a desire to earn the Navajo vote and appealed to attendees’ interest in being at a rally on a “beautiful Saturday afternoon.”

“You could be doing anything else, but you chose to come here, because you understand that the democracy matters,” Walz said. “Your love of the Navajo Nation and of the United States is strong, and your presence here is proof of that.”

Walz pointed to a trend of political candidates showing up to “Indian country” at the last possible minute with expectations of a vote they’ve done nothing to earn. He said it hasn’t been true for the Harris campaign.

“I wanna be clear and make sure you hear it and that the country hears it: Kamala Harris and I recognize the promises this country has made to indigenous peoples. We will safeguard and strengthen the bonds between our nations and uphold our trust and treaty obligations,” Walz said. “The highest law is to honor tribal sovereignty, promote tribal consultation and ensure tribal self-determination across this country.”

“There is an election in just 10 days, and Gov. Walz could be anywhere in the country, but he’s here,” Kelly told voters before Walz came on. “He’s here … because he and Kamala Harris care about you. They care about this community, and they care about the unique challenges that you all face.”

Kelly said the level of care is shown in investments Harris has already led that benefit tribal schools and hospitals.

He also drew a contrast between Harris’ approach toward tribal communities with a lack of respect shown by Donald Trump.

“(Trump’s) Project 2025 agenda … would threaten tribal and public lands and roll back environmental protections,” Kelly said.

The speeches came one day after President Joe Biden apologized to the Gila River Indian Community for forced assimilation in federal boarding schools.

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