Polis blasts Trump over political rhetoric: ‘Some say it’s cognitive decline’

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis (D) hit former President Trump over his rhetoric around immigration and political opponents Friday evening, questioning if the former president’s remarks were a sign of “cognitive decline.”

“I don’t know if it’s, you know, some say it’s cognitive decline, whatever — whatever it is,” Polis told CNN’s Kaitlan Collins.

“But the more he’s distracted, and attacking people like [Georgia Gov. Brian] Kemp or me, whether they’re Republican or Democrat, maybe he’s forgotten who he’s running against,” Polis told CNN’s “The Source.”

“And I think that’s great. Because I support Kamala Harris. I think she’ll be a great president,” he continued. “So, let him attack all these other people, and try to settle all these grudges he has. And I don’t think that’s what the American people want.”

His comments came after Trump held a rally in Aurora, Colo., a city that he said was becoming a “war zone,” claiming an influx of migrants coming into the city is a threat to American communities. The city was pushed into the spotlight after the former president amplified stories of Venezuelan gang activity involving the group Tren de Aragua.

Trump told the crowd of supporters on Friday that he hoped to invoke the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 — which would allow for prosecution of migrants associated with gangs. The move, he said, would be called “Operation Aurora,” if he’s reelected in November.

Trump criticized Polis and the city during a separate campaign event in September.

“Under Border Czar Harris, Venezuelan gangs have taken over entire apartment buildings in Aurora, Colorado,” Trump said at that rally, using a nickname for his Democratic rival that Republicans have latched onto in recent months.

“The governor is petrified in Colorado,” he added, while turning his ire on Polis. “He’s a liberal governor; he doesn’t know what to do. The guy is so scared of these guys, and maybe you can’t blame him.”

State and local officials in Aurora have shut down the narrative that the city is overrun with migrants. In the CNN interview Friday, Polis touted Aurora as an “incredible city,” claiming that crime is down 31 percent.

The Trump campaign, when reached for comment, said the former president has “more energy and more stamina” than anyone in politics, and pivoted to attacking the Biden administration and Harris over their mental acuity, border issues and inflation.

“He has out-worked and out-paced Kamala who continues to duck the press. The Democrats and Kamala are the ones who are diminished because of all the hurt they have caused this country,” Trump communications director Steven Cheung wrote in an emailed statement.

“From skyrocketing inflation, an out-of-control border, and crime decimating American cities, there is only one person who can bring our country back to prominence — President Donald J. Trump,” he added.

Updated at 9:30 a.m. EDT