Vice President Kamala Harris addressed the criticism from Republican leaders during a press gaggle in Houston on Friday, reaffirming her stance on former President Donald Trump while emphasizing the importance of speaking out against political violence.
Harris’s Response
Harris began by stating, “We all must speak out against any form of political violence, and I’m very clear about that. No one should be the subject of violence.” However, she maintained that the American people deserve to be presented with facts and truth[1].
The Vice President went on to cite recent statements from individuals close to Trump during his presidency, specifically mentioning John Kelly, a four-star Marine general. She emphasized that these individuals have been “very clear about the danger and the threat that Donald Trump poses to America and the fact that he is unfit to serve”[1].
Context of the Criticism
The response came after House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell released a joint statement criticizing Harris for what they termed “dangerous rhetoric.” They specifically took issue with Harris labeling Trump a “fascist,” arguing that such language could potentially incite violence against the former president[1][2].
Harris’s Stance on Trump
Harris reiterated her position on Trump’s fitness for office, echoing sentiments she expressed earlier in the week during a CNN town hall. When asked if she believed Trump was a fascist, Harris had responded, “Yes, I do. Yes, I do.” She cited Trump’s alleged admiration for dictators as a concern for voters[3].
Republican Leaders’ Concerns
Johnson and McConnell’s statement highlighted two recent assassination attempts against Trump and called on Harris to “take these threats seriously, stop escalating the threat environment, and help ensure President Trump has the necessary resources to be protected from those threats”[1].
Despite the criticism, Harris maintained her position, stating that the American people deserve to hear and know about the concerns raised by those who have worked closely with Trump[1][3].
Citations:
[1] https://www.foxnews.com/politics/harris-breaks-silence-after-gop-leaders-say-anti-trump-rhetoric-risks-inviting-another-assassination-attempt
[2] https://www.msnbc.com/top-stories/latest/johnson-mcconnell-harris-fascist-trump-rcna177420
[3] https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-election/kamala-harris-calls-trump-fascist-argues-dangerous-unfit-office-rcna176713
[4] https://www.politico.com/live-updates/2024/10/25/2024-elections-live-coverage-updates-analysis/mcconnell-johnson-write-harris-00185528
[5] https://nypost.com/2024/10/25/us-news/kamala-harris-escalating-threats-against-trump-with-fascist-claims-mike-johnson-mitch-mcconnell/
[6] https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2024/10/24/kamala-harris-campaign-joy-fascism-tone/75820210007/
[7] https://theweek.com/politics/us-election-why-cant-kamala-harris-close-the-deal
[8] https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/oct/20/kamala-harris-campaigns-trump-arnold-palmer
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