Trump is “unfit to serve,” Harris said.
In a confrontational interview with Fox News on Wednesday, Vice President Kamala Harris criticized former President Donald Trump, calling him overly sensitive and a danger to U.S. democracy.
The interview gave Harris a chance to appear on a network that often criticizes her and supports her opponent, a significant moment after Republicans had criticized her for only speaking with sympathetic reporters or podcasters. As expected, the interview remained tense, with several moments where Harris and Fox News anchor Bret Baier talked over one another.
Harris pointed to Trump’s recent comments about the “enemy within,” his threats to use the military against political opponents, and the potential for chaos on Election Day to argue that he is unqualified for a second term. She further stated it is “clear to me” that Trump is “unfit to serve, unstable, and dangerous.”
Harris told the Fox News host, “We both know that Trump has discussed using the American military against its own citizens, targeting peaceful protesters, and imprisoning people simply for disagreeing with him.”
“This is a democracy, and in the United States, a president should be able to handle criticism without threatening to imprison people for it,” she said.
Her remarks represent a heightened critique of Trump, labeling him as dangerous for the nation, as he intensifies his rhetoric about internal threats from Americans, including “radical left lunatics,” sparking concerns over how he might use the military if he returns to office.
Not a continuation of Joe Biden’s presidency: Harris
Harris sought to clarify the distinctions Americans would notice between President Joe Biden’s administration and her potential presidency, offering examples after Republicans criticized her for saying on ABC’s “The View” that “nothing comes to mind” when asked what she would have done differently from Biden in the past four years.
Baier questioned, “You’re not Joe Biden, you’re not Donald Trump, but is there nothing that comes to mind that you would do differently?”
Harris responded, “My presidency would not be a continuation of Joe Biden’s. Like any new president, I would bring my own life experiences, professional background, and fresh ideas to the office.”
Harris highlighted her plans to expand housing assistance for first-time homebuyers and increase funding for small business startups. She also emphasized that her administration would represent a shift away from the divisiveness of the Trump era in U.S. politics.
When Baier asked, “You’ve been vice president for three and a half years, so what exactly are you turning the page from?”
Harris responded that her election would mark a break “from the past decade, where we’ve been weighed down by Donald Trump’s rhetoric, which was designed to divide the country and make Americans turn against each other.”
Pressed on immigration
Baier also questioned Harris on immigration and the high number of border crossings that have occurred throughout much of the Biden administration.
Harris did not directly answer a question about the number of undocumented immigrants released into the country, instead criticizing Trump for blocking a bipartisan plan to strengthen border security. However, she expressed empathy for families who lost loved ones to individuals who crossed the border illegally.
“Those are tragic cases, without a doubt, and I can’t imagine the pain those families have endured from losses that should not have happened,” Harris said.
She added, “It’s also true that if border security had been passed nine months ago, we would have had more border agents and support by now, helping to prevent future harm.”
Transgender transition for inmates
Harris responded assertively when asked about Trump ads in battleground states criticizing her for taxpayer funding of transgender transition procedures for inmates.
“I will adhere to the law, which Donald Trump also followed. You may be aware that, according to a public report, under Trump’s administration, these surgeries were provided on a medical necessity basis to individuals in the federal prison system,” Harris stated. “Frankly, I think that ad from the Trump campaign is a bit hypocritical, like throwing stones while living in a glass house.”
Later, on Air Force Two, Brian Fallon, the communications director for the Harris campaign, shared his thoughts with reporters about her interview.
“I believe there are many independents and moderate Republicans who are open to voting for VP Harris, which is why we are willing to participate in events with Republicans and appear on Fox News,” he said.
“We feel we accomplished our goals, as she was able to reach an audience that may not have been exposed to her arguments on the campaign trail, and she demonstrated her resilience in standing firm against a challenging interviewer,” Fallon added.