"Kamala Harris pressed on immigration, Biden in combative Fox News interview: 5 key moments"
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Vice President Kamala Harris emphasized that her presidency would not be a "continuation of Joe Biden's" during a tense interview on Fox News Wednesday, as she worked to appeal to Republican voters with just 20 days until the election. In her first formal appearance on the network, known for its conservative commentators, Harris faced sharp exchanges with host Bret Baier over immigration, the economy, and her policy stances.
Harris appeared with Baier in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, shortly after addressing supporters at a rally in Washington Crossing, where over 100 Republicans endorsed her campaign. Throughout the nearly 30-minute interview, Harris and Baier frequently interrupted each other, leading to several heated moments.
1. Clash Over Immigration at the Southern Border
The interview began with a contentious back-and-forth on the issue of undocumented immigration. When asked by Baier how many illegal immigrants had entered the U.S. under the Biden administration, Harris deflected from providing a specific number. Baier pressed her, suggesting millions may have entered. Harris responded by criticizing the broken immigration system and the need for reform. She accused Senate Republicans of blocking bipartisan efforts to address the crisis, claiming former President Donald Trump preferred to use the issue politically rather than solve it.
2. Harris Walks Back Progressive Immigration Positions
Harris signaled a shift from some of her more progressive immigration policies from the 2020 Democratic primary, such as supporting driver's licenses and taxpayer-funded healthcare for undocumented immigrants. She clarified that her stance had changed and emphasized that she would follow the law if elected. She also distanced herself from her earlier support for decriminalizing illegal border crossings, stating that she no longer backed that policy.
3. Debate Over Transgender Surgeries in Prisons
When Baier pressed Harris about her past support for gender-affirming surgeries for incarcerated individuals, she stated that she would uphold the law, noting that the Trump administration had also followed these federal guidelines. Harris criticized a recent Trump campaign ad targeting her on this issue, accusing the former president of hypocrisy.
4. Distancing Herself From Biden
Harris made her most pronounced break from President Biden during the interview, stating that her presidency would bring fresh ideas and not be a continuation of his. She highlighted her different policies, such as affordable housing, tax relief for small businesses, and down-payment assistance for first-time homebuyers, in contrast to Biden’s agenda. Harris described herself as part of a "new generation of leadership" and emphasized her openness to ideas from Republicans and the private sector.
5. Defending Biden’s Fitness While Criticizing Trump
When asked about Biden's mental acuity, Harris defended his "judgment and experience" but shifted focus to Trump, characterizing him as unfit for office. She condemned his rhetoric about punishing political opponents, framing it as a threat to democracy. Harris also criticized Trump’s refusal to release his medical records and accused him of using divisive tactics.
Despite the tense exchanges, Harris' campaign expressed satisfaction with her performance, while the Trump campaign called the interview a "train wreck." Harris’ appearance aimed to reach new audiences and demonstrate her resilience under pressure.
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