Vice President Kamala Harris appeared on Fox News on Wednesday evening, engaging in a spirited conversation during her inaugural interview on the network, which is known for its conservative stance. The 30-minute interview featured chief political correspondent Bret Baier and began with a pointed question about the number of “illegal immigrants” released into the U.S. by the Biden administration over the past three and a half years.
Harris was repeatedly interrupted by Baier as she attempted to provide an answer without specifying an exact number. “I’m in the middle of responding to the point you’re raising,” Harris said. “I’d like to finish.” The confrontational tone persisted throughout the interview.
Harris Clarifies Stance on Border Security
Regarding immigration, Harris stated that she does not support the decriminalization of unauthorised border crossings into the United States. “We have a broken immigration system that needs to be repaired,” she indicated. “I am very clear — as is Tim Walz — that we must support and enforce federal law, and that’s what we will do.”
Harris criticised former President Trump for rejecting a bipartisan proposal on border security, suggesting he preferred to “campaign on an issue rather than resolve it.”
Baier referenced cases involving Jocelyn Nungaray, Laken Riley, and Rachel Morin, young women allegedly murdered by individuals who entered the U.S. unlawfully and whose stories are often cited at Trump rallies. He asked Harris if there was an apology owed to their families, to which she responded, “Those are tragic cases. There’s no question about that. It is also true that if a border security [bill] had actually been passed nine months ago, it would be nine months we would have had more border agents at the border, more support for the folks who are working around the clock trying to hold it all together to ensure that no future harm would occur.”
Discussion on Transgender Issues in Prisons
During another segment, Baier played a snippet from a Trump campaign ad criticizing Harris for previously supporting taxpayer-funded gender-affirming surgery for transgender inmates, including undocumented ones. When pressed on whether she still endorsed this, Harris stated, “I will follow the law.”
“It’s actually a law Donald Trump followed,” she remarked. “Under Donald Trump’s administration, these surgeries were available to — on a medically necessary basis — to people in the federal prison system. And I think that ad from the Trump campaign is a little bit of throwing stones when you live in a glass house.”
This federal law has been effective since February 2018, with the Trump administration reinforcing guidelines for eligibility which were initially set during the Obama administration. Although no surgeries were performed while Trump was in office, the first occurred in 2022, Baier highlighted. Nevertheless, Harris accused Trump of using these ads to instill fear among voters. “[Trump] spent $20 million on those ads trying to create a sense of fear in the voters because he actually has no plan in this election that is about focusing on the needs of the American people,” she argued.
Critique of a Misleading Trump Video
When Baier raised Trump’s comparable standing in the polls, he questioned Harris if the Americans supporting Trump were “misguided” or “stupid.” Harris, however, countered, “I would never say that about the American people. In fact, if you listen to Donald Trump, if you watch any of his rallies, he’s the one who tends to demean and belittle and diminish the American people. He’s the one who talks about an ‘enemy within.’”
Baier mentioned that a Fox News host had inquired about this topic to Trump during an earlier broadcast. He played a segment where Trump remarked, “I’m not threatening anybody.”
Harris responded with disappointment, “Bret, I’m sorry, and with all due respect: That clip is not what he has been saying about the ‘enemy within’ that he has repeated when he is speaking about the American people. That’s not what you just showed.”
She persisted, “He has repeated it many times, and you and I both know that. You and I both know that he has talked about turning the American military on the American people.”
Differentiating Herself from Biden
Baier highlighted clips from recent interviews where Harris was asked about possible deviations from Biden’s policies. During an October 8 appearance on The View, she struggled to name any changes. This time, she articulated a clearer stance, “Let me be very clear: My presidency will not be a continuation of Joe Biden’s presidency. Like every new president that comes into office, I will bring my life experiences, my professional experiences, and fresh and new ideas. I represent a new generation of leadership.”
She reiterated her support for Biden’s competence, stating he possesses the “judgment” and “experience” needed for presidency. However, she redirected the scrutiny towards Trump, noting, “Joe Biden is not on the ballot, Donald Trump is. He’s unfit to serve. He’s unstable. He’s dangerous. And people are exhausted.”