Vice President Kamala Harris appeared on Fox News for the first time, using the interview as an opportunity to criticize former President Donald Trump’s record. She addressed questions about border crossings and violence committed by undocumented immigrants during Joe Biden’s presidency by pointing to Trump’s opposition to bipartisan border security bills. Harris also accused Fox News of whitewashing Trump’s rhetoric, particularly his comments about political persecution and turning the military on American citizens.
Harris is actively seeking to appeal to disaffected Republican and independent voters who are uneasy with Trump. She has held events with prominent Republicans who have criticized Trump, such as Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger, to emphasize her campaign’s message of unity across party lines. In the Fox News interview, Harris differentiated herself from President Biden, stating that her presidency would bring new ideas and experiences to the White House. She emphasized her willingness to consider input from Republicans and others in decision-making processes.
During the interview, Harris was asked about her past support for gender-affirming care for prisoners and undocumented immigrants. She stated that she would follow the law on the issue, referencing a New York Times report that outlined gender-affirming services provided by the Bureau of Prisons under the Trump administration. Harris dismissed a Trump campaign ad attacking her stance on the issue as hypocritical, pointing to similar actions taken by the Trump administration.
Harris repeatedly redirected questions about the Biden administration’s approach to immigration to focus on the need for bipartisan border security reform. When pressed about the number of undocumented immigrants released into the US during Biden’s presidency, Harris emphasized the broader issue of a broken immigration system requiring comprehensive solutions. She also addressed a tragic case involving an undocumented immigrant suspect, stressing the need for improved border security measures to prevent such incidents.
Throughout the interview, Harris maintained that the immigration system is in need of reform, a sentiment shared by both Democrats and Republicans. She avoided specifics on policy positions from her 2019 presidential campaign and stated that she would not decriminalize illegal border crossings if elected president. Harris reiterated her commitment to following the law and addressing the complexities of immigration issues through bipartisan solutions. Overall, the interview highlighted Harris’s efforts to reach out to a broader range of voters and emphasize her potential as a new generation of leadership.
