Vice President Kamala Harris has come under scrutiny for avoiding the press since becoming the Democratic nominee, with the New York Times highlighting her lack of policy clarity and reluctance to engage in long-form interviews or press conferences.
In an article published on Tuesday, the Times criticized Harris for her limited public engagement, noting that she has not participated in town halls or provided extended media interviews since launching her campaign. The piece, titled “21 Questions for Harris,” points out that she has offered minimal insight into her policy positions and future plans if elected.
The Times presented nearly two dozen questions to Harris, suggesting them as potential topics for a future interview, which her campaign has indicated will take place soon. These questions were divided into four categories: the economy, social issues, foreign policy, and “politics and more.”
One economic question addressed Harris’ proposed price control policies, which have sparked criticism across the political spectrum. A CNN contributor likened her proposal to those seen in “Venezuela, Argentina, [and] the Soviet Union.”
Another question focused on Harris’ apparent shift in immigration policy. The Times asked, “You once called for decriminalizing illegal border crossings. Now you are an immigration hawk who promises to secure the border better than Donald Trump would. Can you explain your evolution?”
Despite Harris’ recent tough stance on border security, her campaign and the current administration have supported legislative measures that would allow a significant number of illegal immigrants to enter the country and claim asylum, even without a valid claim. Reports suggest that these proposals could result in approximately 1.5 million illegal immigrants entering the U.S. annually. Harris has also referred to the border wall as a “vanity project” of Trump’s, despite now advocating for stronger border security measures.
The Times also questioned Harris on her previous statements regarding law enforcement, specifically her support for the “Defund the Police” movement. Harris has praised the movement and expressed a vision of safer communities where law enforcement responses are not needed.