During a town hall event with undecided voters in Pennsylvania, Vice President Kamala Harris doubled down on her criticisms of former President Donald Trump, comparing him to Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler. Harris accused Trump of wanting unchecked power and a military that would be loyal to him, not the Constitution. She also referred to Trump as a fascist, a descriptor she had previously refrained from using. These comments from Harris came after former Trump administration chief of staff, John Kelly, claimed that Trump praised “Hitler’s generals.” This town hall event was moderated by CNN’s Anderson Cooper and covered a range of topics including abortion policies, immigration, and benefits for homeowners who were affected by the foreclosure crisis.
Harris faced tough questions during the town hall, including inquiries about how her administration would differ from President Biden’s. She emphasized that her leadership would not be a continuation of Biden’s administration and that she represents a new generation of leadership. Harris also highlighted her experience in dealing with issues like housing, citing her efforts to assist homeowners affected by predatory lending during the foreclosure crisis. The event took place in Chester Township, just outside of Philadelphia, and was held as an alternative to a proposed third presidential debate that Trump declined to participate in.
One of the topics discussed during the town hall was Harris’ views on border and immigration policies. Cooper asked Harris about her support for a bipartisan bill that included funding for a border wall, something she had previously criticized as a “stupid” idea when promoted by Trump. Harris defended her stance, stating that she would work across the aisle to pass comprehensive immigration reform that addresses the broken system. She emphasized the need for common sense solutions and stressed the importance of non-citizens earning citizenship. The town hall also touched on the importance of Pennsylvania as a key state in the upcoming election, with both Harris and Trump vying for victory in the swing state.
During the town hall, Harris also spoke passionately about abortion rights, criticizing Trump’s abortion bans and policies that restrict women’s access to healthcare. She highlighted her experience as a prosecutor specializing in crimes against women and children, emphasizing the impact that restrictive abortion laws have on women’s health and safety. Harris called for an end to the filibuster in order to pass legislation protecting abortion rights nationwide. She pointed to the Supreme Court’s recent decisions that have threatened Roe v. Wade protections and highlighted the need for action to ensure access to safe and legal abortion care.
As Harris addressed a range of issues and fielded questions from voters, the town hall provided a platform for her to outline her policy priorities and vision for the future. The event took place against the backdrop of a contentious election season, with Harris and Trump both aiming to secure victory in Pennsylvania and across the country. Despite facing scrutiny and tough questions, Harris remained firmly committed to her values and goals, emphasizing the need for bipartisan cooperation and pragmatic solutions to address the pressing challenges facing the nation.
