Obama criticizes comic's Puerto Rico remarks at Trump's rally

Tony Hinchcliffe's comments about Puerto Rico at Madison Square Garden is being felt in Pennsylvania, a key battleground state home to a significant number of Puerto Rican voters.

Michael Rivera, a Republican raised in Puerto Rico who serves on the Board of Commissioners in Berks County, condemned the joke in a statement to ABC News Monday night, calling it "not only appalling but deeply disrespectful."

"Such comments overlook the value of a people of rich cultural heritage and the significant contributions of Puerto Ricans to the United States," he added.

Rivera said he "appreciate[s] the Trump campaign’s decision to distance themselves from [Hinchcliffe’s] comments," but he told ABC News that a statement from Trump himself "would go a long way" toward appeasing Puerto Rican voters upset by the joke.

Rivera said he remained committed to voting for Trump, citing his record. However, he said some in his community are considering changing their vote after Hinchcliffe’s comment.

-ABC News' Will McDuffie

Sen. Bernie Sanders released a video Monday night that aims to ease the concern of voters who may be wary to cast a vote for Vice President Kamala Harris due to her position on the war in Gaza.

"I understand that there are millions of Americans who disagree with President Biden and Vice President Harris on the terrible war in Gaza. I am one of them," Sanders begins the video.

But he argues to supporters that Republicans, led by Trump, would create an even greater humanitarian crisis in the region.

"Some of you are saying how can I vote for Kamala Harris if she is supporting this terrible war -- and that is a very fair question. And let me give you my best answer. And that is that even on this issue, Donald Trump and his right-wing friends are worse."

Sanders said Trump and Congressional Republicans will work to block aid to Gaza and noted that Trump has praised Netanyahu as "doing a good job."

"It is no wonder Netanyahu prefers to have Donald Trump in office," Sanders said.

He said he would work with Harris to "do everything that we can to change U.S. policy toward Netanyahu."

"We will have in my view, a much better chance of changing U.S. policy with Kamala than with Trump," Sanders said in the video.

Sanders also made it clear that while the crisis in Gaza is important, it is "not the only issue" in this election. He argued that a Trump victory would be disastrous for abortion access, climate change and income inequality.

-ABC News' Allison Pecorin

Fencing along the National Mall is still being installed less than 24 hours before Vice President Kamala Harris’ speech at the Ellipse, which is "a large open area surrounded by an oval drive" on the southern side of the President's Park, according to the National Park Service.

Harris chose to deliver her campaign's closing arguments at a symbolic site on the grounds of the White House, where former President Donald Trump delivered a speech on Jan. 6, 2021, that preceded a mob attack on the Capitol.

The permit for the rally estimates a crowd of 20,000 people.

Rally organizers planned an overflow area near the grounds of the Washington Monument.

The Secret Service said in a statement to ABC News that they are “working closely with our federal and local partners to ensure the safety and security of Vice President Harris and all attendees at the campaign event on Tuesday at the White House Ellipse."

Several roads in downtown Washington, D.C., will be blocked off at 6 a.m. Tuesday for the event, which begins at 3 p.m.

Former President Barack Obama responded on Monday to the disparaging comments about Puerto Rico that were made by a comedian who opened for Donald Trump at his rally in New York City over the weekend.

“So, the man holds this big rally at Madison Square Garden, and the warm-up speakers were saying the most – were trotting out and peddling the most racist, sexist, bigoted stereotypes. One guy called Puerto Rico, quote, 'an island of garbage,'” Obama said at a rally in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, which is home to one of the largest Puerto Rican populations in the U.S.

“These are fellow citizens he’s talking about. Here in Philadelphia, they are your neighbors. They’re your friends. They are your coworkers. Their kids go to school with your kids. These are Americans. They’re people -- and that is the reason why this election should not be close. It should be clear,” he added.

Joining Obama at Temple University's Liacouras Center in North Philadelphia were Bruce Springsteen and John Legend, both of whom performed as part of the When We Vote We Win concert series in support of Vice President Kamala Harris, with eight days to go until Election Day.