Kamala Harris Engages in Heated Fox News Interview
On Wednesday evening, Vice President Kamala Harris took part in a challenging dialogue on Fox News, marking her debut on the right-leaning channel. The 30-minute discussion with lead political correspondent Bret Baier was fraught with tension from the outset. Baier kicked off by asking Harris to approximate the number of “illegal immigrants” the Biden administration has “released into the country over the past three-and-a-half years.” Harris’s attempts to respond were frequently interrupted by Baier’s insistence on obtaining a specific figure. “I’m in the middle of responding to the point you’re raising,” Harris asserted, trying to complete her response. Disagreements persisted throughout the conversation.
Major Insights from the Interview
Harris Refutes Claims About Decriminalizing Border Crossings
In the initial exchanges on immigration and border protection, Harris maintained that she neither previously advocated nor currently advocates for the decriminalization of unlawful border entries into the United States. “Our immigration system is flawed and needs fixing,” she stated to Baier. “Clearly, as Tim Walz and I agree, supporting and enforcing federal law is crucial, and that is our commitment.” Harris also criticized former President Trump for rejecting a bipartisan border security measure, suggesting he prefers to “campaign on an issue rather than resolve it.”
Discussion on Victims of Illegal Immigration
Baier cited cases involving Jocelyn Nungaray, Laken Riley, and Rachel Morin, who were allegedly murdered by unauthorized immigrants and are often referenced at Trump rallies. “Do you owe these families an apology?” Baier queried Harris. To which Harris responded, “These are indeed tragic situations. That is undeniable. Simultaneously, the truth is that if a border security bill had been ratified nine months ago, we would now have more border officers and more assistance for those tirelessly working to prevent future tragedies.”
Commitment to the Law on Transgender Inmate Surgery
During one part of the interview, Baier aired excerpts from a Trump campaign advertisement criticizing Harris for her previous support of taxpayer-funded gender-affirming surgery for transgender inmates, including undocumented individuals. In response to Baier’s questioning whether she still holds this view, Harris declared, “I will adhere to the law.” She further noted, “It’s actually a law upheld by Donald Trump.” “Under Trump’s administration, these surgeries could be accessed when medically necessary in the federal prison system. The Trump campaign ad seems a case of ‘throwing stones while living in a glass house.’”
Federal regulations have been in place since February 2018. Despite the Trump administration tightening criteria set by the Obama administration on eligibility for transgender surgeries, these procedures remained accessible during Trump’s term. Although Baier mentioned that “Trump aides” claimed no surgeries took place during his term—the first occurred in 2022—Harris criticized Trump for employing fear tactics in the ad campaign.
“[Trump] spent $20 million on those ads to instill anxiety in voters due to his lack of concrete plans addressing American needs,” Harris argued.
Disputing Misleading Trump Clip
After pointing out the tight polls between Trump and Harris, Baier asked Harris if she believes the 50% of Americans who favor Trump are “misguided” or “stupid.” Harris replied, “I would never make such statements about the American populace.” She continued, “Donald Trump, in his rallies, is the one belittling the American public and labeling them an ‘enemy within.’”
Baier mentioned a town hall event on Wednesday with Fox News host Harris Faulkner, at which Faulkner questioned Trump about this label, followed by a clip of Trump asserting, “I’m not threatening anybody.”
“Bret, with all due respect: The clip doesn’t align with his frequent remarks about the ‘enemy within,’ which he has repeatedly used concerning the American populace,” Harris contested post-clip. “He has reiterated it numerous times, and you’re well aware,” she pressed further, accusing Trump of proposing turning the military against Americans.
A Distinct Harris Presidency
Baier played segments from several of Harris’s interviews, including an October 8 appearance on “The View,” in which she was asked how her presidency would differ from Biden’s, to which she had answered, “Nothing comes to mind.” On Wednesday, she distanced her anticipated presidency from Biden more assertively. “To be unequivocal: My presidency will differ from Joe Biden’s,” Harris declared. “Like any incoming president, I would introduce my personal experiences, professional insights, and fresh perspectives. I’m representative of a new leadership generation.”
Baier further probed Harris’s past endorsement of Biden’s mental capability prior to his extended campaign. Harris reiterated Biden’s “judgment” and “experience” as presidential qualities, then shifted the conversation to scrutinize Trump.
“Joe Biden isn’t on the ballot—Donald Trump is,” she articulated, describing Trump as “unfit, unstable, and perilous.” She added, “Our people are weary.”