US Election: Five key takeaways from Kamala Harris Fox interview

Ahead of the November presidential election in the United States, Democratic candidate and Vice President Kamala Harris appeared on Fox News Channel on Wednesday night for an interview.  

During the interview, the US Vice President addressed a variety of topics, including immigration and security, among others.  

In this article, Tribune Online highlights five key things Harris discussed during the 25-minute interview.  

1. Immigration

Harris addressed concerns about the Biden administration’s handling of illegal immigration at the southern border, attributing the challenges to Republicans’ refusal to pass a border reform bill.  

She defended the decision to reverse some of Donald Trump’s immigration policies early in Biden’s presidency. Additionally, Harris responded to criticisms raised by a mother who testified before Congress about losing her child to an undocumented immigrant, expressing sympathy for the loss but emphasising the need to focus on the current situation.  

Harris further argued that Trump had deliberately encouraged Republicans to block a bipartisan immigration bill, suggesting that he preferred to campaign on the issue rather than resolve it.  

2. A Break From Biden

Harris was pressed to clarify her previous statement that she would not change any actions taken by the Biden administration. She responded by asserting that her presidency would differ from Biden’s, though she did not elaborate further.  

When asked about concerns regarding Biden’s mental acuity, Harris reframed the discussion, highlighting the president’s ability to make sound decisions and draw on his experience to lead effectively.  

She also remarked that some of Trump’s closest allies have publicly questioned his fitness to return to office, stressing that the upcoming election is about Trump, not Biden.  

3. Gender Surgery for Prisoners

Harris addressed questions regarding her past support for taxpayer-funded gender reassignment surgeries for prisoners. When asked if she would advocate for such use of public funds as president, she emphasised that she would follow the law.  

In response to further inquiries, Harris noted that gender-affirming surgeries were accessible to inmates during Trump’s presidency. However, records indicate that no such operations occurred in federal prisons during that time. 

According to the Federal Bureau of Prisons, the first two gender reassignment surgeries for federal inmates were conducted in 2022 and 2023.  

4. Middle East Policy 

Harris identified Iran as a significant threat to the United States, though she was questioned about whether the administration was treating the issue with the seriousness it deserves. 

She explained that she had worked closely with military leaders to ensure Israel has the resources needed to defend itself, particularly against threats from Iran and affiliated terrorist groups in the region.  

Harris also called for a more balanced conversation, encouraging discussions that take into account all relevant facts.  

5. Donald Trump  

Harris criticised Trump’s leadership style, suggesting that the public is growing tired of a leader who focuses on personal grievances and divisive rhetoric. She also described Trump’s behaviour as unstable.  

She urged voters to pay attention to Trump’s references to internal enemies and his threats to target political rivals.  

Regarding the use of taxpayer money for gender-affirming surgeries for transgender inmates, including undocumented ones, Harris reiterated that she would follow the law. She pointed out that the Bureau of Prisons had provided such treatments during Trump’s administration, implying that it was hypocritical for him to criticise the policy now.  

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