Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris participated in a campaign event at the Dort Financial Center in Flint, Michigan, on October 4, 2024. During an interview with Fox News anchor Brett Baier, Harris clarified her stance on distancing herself from President Joe Biden while criticizing her Republican opponent, Donald Trump.
Harris stated emphatically, “My presidency will not be a continuation of Joe Biden’s presidency,” in response to Baier’s questioning about whether she would differ from the current administration. She emphasized that every new president brings unique life and professional experiences, along with fresh ideas.
The interview, lasting 26 minutes, concentrated largely on immigration issues. Harris attributed the failure of a bipartisan immigration reform bill to Trump, suggesting he was to blame for the ongoing border crisis. The conversation was notably tense, starting with Baier’s interruptions during Harris’s initial remarks on immigration, to which she responded by asking to finish her point.
Several key moments from the interview stood out:
– On whether Harris felt the need to apologize to the families of three women killed by undocumented immigrants, she acknowledged the longstanding issues with the immigration system, predating Trump’s tenure, and underscored the need for reform without false pride.
– Regarding a new Trump advertisement about taxpayer funding for gender reassignment, Harris criticized Trump for spending $20 million on ads that instill fear rather than focusing on the critical needs of the American public. She noted that Trump offered no distinct policy plan on key issues affecting Americans.
– Harris distinguished herself from Biden by stressing that she represents a new generation of leadership, having spent less time in Washington, D.C., and welcoming diverse inputs from across the political spectrum and other sectors.
– On Trump’s rhetoric, Harris condemned Trump’s portrayal of an internal enemy, his willingness to turn the military on citizens, and his approach to peaceful protestors. She highlighted the importance of upholding democratic principles and the ability to handle dissent without resorting to repression.
– Questioned on Trump’s fitness to be president, Harris, along with several former Trump administration officials, expressed concerns about his stability and suitability for leadership, criticizing his focus on personal grievances rather than national interests.
