Vice President Kamala Harris blamed Republicans for failing to pass border legislation after being pressed on immigration in a television interview with Fox News.
In a combative interview with host Bret Baier on Wednesday local time, Harris was asked to defend the Biden administration’s early decision to roll back some of former President Donald Trump’s restrictive policies.
The approximately 30-minute interview marked Harris’ first appearance on a media network as a presidential candidate.
Grill at immigration
Harris was also shown a video clip of a mother whose child was killed by an immigrant who crossed the border illegally.
“Her death is really unfortunate, but let’s talk about what’s going on,” Harris said.
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Harris said President Trump told Republicans to veto the bipartisan immigration bill because he “wanted to solve the problem, not fix it.”
Asked about her recent comments that she “wouldn’t change anything” about the Biden administration’s actions, Harris said, “My presidency will not be a continuation of Joe Biden’s presidency.” Details were not disclosed.
Harris was also asked about President Biden’s assurances of his mental fitness to serve as president before he withdrew from the race.
Asked about her stance on using taxpayer funds for gender reassignment surgery for transgender prisoners, Harris said she would “follow the law.”
He added that the U.S. Bureau of Prisons had provided gender-affirming treatment under the Trump administration, and accused Trump of “throwing rocks” while living in a glass house.
Appeal to the Republican Party
The interview was part of Harris’ direct appeal to Republican voters in November’s presidential election, which she highlighted in the battleground state of Pennsylvania before appearing on conservative-leaning Fox News.
Earlier, in a suburb of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania’s largest city, Harris emphasized that President Trump is trying to reverse his election loss to President Biden four years ago.
Before appearing on Fox News, Harris spoke in a battleground state in Pennsylvania. (Reuters: Evelyn Hochstein)
More than 100 Republicans attended the event.
Harris said Trump’s actions violated the Constitution and would violate the Constitution again if given the chance.
“He refused to accept the will of the people and the results of a free and fair election” in Bucks County.
“He led an armed mob into the U.S. Capitol, where they violently assaulted police and law enforcement officers and threatened the life of his own vice president.”
According to Reuters, Harris is also considering appearing on podcaster Joe Rogan’s show.
It was the first time in a generation that Republicans overtook Democrats in voter registration in Bucks County.
