On Wednesday, Vice President Kamala Harris engaged in a heated interview with Fox News host Bret Baier, marking her first chat with the network since becoming the Democratic nominee. This discussion is part of her effort to connect with independent and undecided voters as Election Day approaches.
The conversation touched on a range of hot topics, including immigration, transgender rights, and the repercussions of former President Donald Trump’s actions and statements.
Immigration
Baier opened the discussion by pressing Harris on the number of undocumented immigrants allowed entry into the U.S. during the Biden administration. The back-and-forth included several interruptions until Harris firmly requested, “May I please finish?” to which Baier agreed.
During her response, Harris detailed initiatives the Biden administration has taken to reform immigration policy and also criticized Trump for undermining a bipartisan immigration bill that Republicans had supported earlier in the year. Given Trump’s continuous support on immigration issues, he has labeled Harris as the “border czar,” assigning her the blame for what he calls “migrant crime.” However, it’s worth noting that her actual role was as a liaison aimed at addressing the root causes of illegal immigration from Central America.
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Threats to Democracy
Harris emphasized a critical aspect of her campaign: the threats posed to democracy by a potential Trump re-election. She accused him of having issues with criticism and referenced his alarming comments about using military force against American citizens.
“The American people are worried about Donald Trump,” she stated, referencing endorsements from former Trump administration officials who have deemed him unfit for office.
Gender-Affirming Care
The interview also addressed the Trump campaign’s focused attacks on Harris’s stance on gender-affirming care. One Trump campaign ad running in key battleground states prominently declared, “Kamala is for they/them. President Trump is for you.”
Criticism from Trump’s camp has particularly targeted gender-affirming care for inmates, despite reports that similar care was already offered in U.S. prisons during Trump’s presidency. Harris countered this narrative, affirming her commitment to follow legal guidelines that ensure equal access to healthcare.