Harris Is Pressed on Trump Talking Points in Fox News Interview: Live Updates – The New York Times
Harris Clashes With Fox News Host in Heated Interview
On Wednesday, Vice President Kamala Harris faced a contentious interview with Fox News anchor Bret Baier, marking a pivotal moment as Election Day approaches. The interview followed an event in Pennsylvania, where Harris appeared alongside several high-profile Republicans who have endorsed her presidential campaign. This interview, marked by sharp exchanges, gave Harris a platform to clarify her vision for the country and differentiate her leadership from that of President Joe Biden.
During the interview, Baier pressed Harris on several key issues, including immigration, an area where the Biden administration has been heavily criticized by conservative circles. Baier began with an aggressive line of questioning regarding the administration’s handling of immigration policies. In particular, he brought up cases where undocumented immigrants were involved in violent crimes, asking Harris if she would apologize to the victims’ families. Harris, while expressing sympathy for the tragic incidents, redirected the conversation to the failed efforts to pass a bipartisan border security bill. She pointed out that former President Donald Trump had opposed the bill, which could have added 1,500 more border agents and provided crucial support to border security efforts.
The vice president emphasized that her administration would prioritize strengthening border security and ensuring that similar tragedies do not occur in the future. Harris took a firm stance on the issue of unauthorized border crossings, stating, “I do not believe in decriminalizing border crossings. I’ve not done that as vice president. I will not do that as president.”
The interview also covered Harris’s relationship with the Biden administration and the role she envisions for herself as president. Baier questioned her about a previous comment in which she suggested there wasn’t much she would change from Biden’s presidency. Harris took the opportunity to clarify her position, stating that her presidency would represent a fresh start with new ideas and experiences. She noted, “My presidency will not be a continuation of Joe Biden’s. I represent a new generation of leadership, and I will bring fresh and new ideas.”
Harris’s appearance on Fox News was seen as a strategic move to reach Republican voters, a group that has largely remained loyal to Trump. In recent months, her campaign has made efforts to appeal to disillusioned Republicans and independents, especially those concerned about Trump’s conduct and his refusal to accept the results of the 2020 election. Earlier in the day, at a rally in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, Harris stood alongside over 100 Republicans who had thrown their support behind her candidacy. She urged them to prioritize the future of democracy over party loyalty and expressed concerns about Trump’s ongoing attempts to undermine the country’s institutions.
At the rally, Harris spoke candidly about Trump’s behavior, calling him “increasingly unstable” and warning that his leadership would bring chaos and division to the country. “He is a man who will sit in the Oval Office plotting retribution, stewing in his own grievances, and think only about himself, not the American people,” Harris told the crowd.
The vice president’s remarks at the rally echoed similar sentiments she shared during the interview with Baier. She positioned herself as a leader who would work to unite the country and focus on improving the lives of all Americans, regardless of their political beliefs. Harris also made it clear that while she values bipartisanship, she would not compromise on fundamental democratic principles. She pointed to Trump’s suggestion to terminate the Constitution as evidence that he poses a serious threat to American democracy.
The interview marked a significant moment in Harris’s campaign, as it was one of her first high-profile interviews with a conservative-leaning news network. Her willingness to engage with Baier, despite the tough questions and pointed criticisms, demonstrated her campaign’s desire to reach voters beyond the Democratic base. It was also part of a broader effort to appeal to Republican voters who may be hesitant to support Trump but are unsure about voting for a Democratic candidate.
Throughout the interview, Harris remained composed, pushing back against Baier’s attempts to tie her to some of the more controversial decisions made by the Biden administration. She also addressed a recent line of attack from the Trump campaign, which has focused on Harris’s previous support for gender-affirming surgeries for prison inmates. Harris clarified that her position was consistent with the law, including policies that were in place during Trump’s administration. She dismissed the attack ads as a distraction, saying, “I will follow the law, and that’s what we did under Trump’s administration as well.”
The interview provided Harris with a valuable opportunity to clarify her positions and reach a broader audience, especially Republican voters who are concerned about Trump’s influence on the party. While Harris faces a difficult battle to win over conservative voters, the interview and her rally earlier in the day were part of a concerted effort to build a coalition that can bridge the political divide in the country.
As the 2024 election heats up, Harris’s ability to connect with voters from across the political spectrum will be crucial to her success. With her campaign making strides to appeal to Republicans and independents, the vice president is positioning herself as a candidate who can lead the country through a time of intense polarization and uncertainty. The outcome of this strategy, and whether it will pay off on Election Day, remains to be seen. However, one thing is clear: Harris is determined to challenge the status quo and offer a new vision for America’s future.
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