Vice President Kamala Harris in her latest interview talked about Springfield, Ohio, and reparations for slavery. Here are three key takeaways.
Vice President Kamala Harris sat down on Tuesday with members of the National Association of Black Journalists for an interview that covered a wide range of topics, including the latest potential assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump and the situation in Springfield, Ohio.
Harris spoke carefully and avoided any major flubs in her latest appearance, which was notably in front of the same group before her opponent spoke in July. She drew headlines for questioning her racial identity. She avoided some policy questions – specifically on what she would do differently from President Joe Biden about the ongoing conflict in Gaza – while going into details on others, like her economic plans.
“I do believe that I offer a new generation of leadership for our country,” Harris said.
Here are three takeaways from Harris’ latest public interview:
Harris Says She Feels Safe With Secret Service, Talked to Trump
Harris said she has full confidence in the Secret Service following the potential assassination attempt on Trump on Sunday. When asked if she feels safe under their protection, she said: “I do.”
The Secret Service has come under scrutiny in recent months after a shooter targeted Trump in July and another incident on Sunday.
Biden recently said that the Secret Service “needs more help,” adding that “Congress should respond to their needs.” Additional resources could include more personnel, he said.
Harris added that she spoke to Trump earlier Tuesday.
“I checked on him to see if he was OK,” Harris said. “And I told him what I have said publicly – there’s no place for political violence in our country.”
Harris: What Is Happening in Springfield a ‘Crying Shame’
Harris criticized Trump for amplifying the claim that Haitian immigrants are eating pets in Springfield, Ohio.
Trump made the false statement during the presidential debate last week, saying “They’re eating the pets of the people that live there.” Local authorities denied the assertion, and the city has since faced bomb threats leading to school closures.
In comments directed toward Trump, she said that “when you are bestowed with a microphone that is that big, there is a profound responsibility that comes with that.”
Harris Says She Is Working to Earn the Votes of Black Men
The vice president said that she doesn’t assume she has the support of Black voters, specifically Black men, because of her race.
“I think it’s very important to not operate from the assumption that Black men are in anybody’s pocket,” Harris said. “Black men are like any other voting group. You’ve got to earn their vote. So I’m working to earn the vote – not assuming I’m going to have it because I am Black but because the policies and the perspectives I have understands what we must do to recognize the needs of all communities.”
She was asked about a bill she previously co-sponsored that would create a commission to study the history of U.S. slavery and the issue of reparations and whether she would use executive action to create such a committee.
“I think Congress ultimately will have the ability to do this work,” Harris said. “I’m not discounting the importance of any executive action, but ultimately, Congress. Because if you’re going to talk about it in any substantial way, there will be hearings. There will be a level of public education and dialogue, and I think that was part of the spirit behind the congressional action thus far.”
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