Bret Baier Confronts Kamala Harris on Border Crisis, Biden's Mental Decline, and Policy Reversals

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Bret Baier Confronts Kamala Harris on Border Crisis, Biden's Mental Decline, and Policy Reversals

Bret Baier sat down with Vice President Kamala Harris in a tense interview that challenged her on the administration's immigration policies, the deaths of young women killed by released illegal immigrants, and when she first noticed President Biden's diminished mental faculties. Harris defended the administration's record while repeatedly pivoting to criticisms of Donald Trump, refusing to directly answer questions about policy reversals from her 2019 presidential campaign. The interview revealed sharp contrasts on border security, with Harris pointing to a failed bipartisan bill while Baier pressed her on the families who lost loved ones to violence committed by men released into the country under her administration's policies.

October 16, 2024

Immigration and Border Security Take Center Stage

Bret Baier opened the interview by pressing Vice President Kamala Harris on one of the most critical issues facing voters: immigration. When asked how many illegal immigrants the administration has released into the country over the past three and a half years, Harris deflected, stating that the focus should be on fixing a broken immigration system rather than dwelling on numbers.

Baier noted that the Homeland Security secretary acknowledged that millions of people have been released into the country. He challenged Harris on the administration's decision to reverse Trump-era border policies, particularly the policy requiring illegal immigrants to be detained through deportation either in the US or in Mexico. Harris responded by highlighting that the first bill her administration offered Congress was the US Citizenship Act of 2021, designed to fix the immigration system.

The Vice President emphasized that the administration has worked to address the asylum system, tighten penalties for illegal crossings, and support a bipartisan border security bill that would have added 1,500 more border agents and stemmed the flow of fentanyl. She blamed Donald Trump for encouraging Republicans to kill the bill so he could run on the problem rather than fix it.

Tragic Cases and Calls for Accountability

Baier confronted Harris with the names of young women—Joselyn Nungaray, Rachel Morin, and Laken Riley—who were brutally assaulted and killed by men released into the country at the beginning of the administration. He asked if she owed their families an apology, noting that former President Clinton had stated that if those men had been properly vetted, Laken Riley probably would not have been killed.

Harris expressed sorrow for the losses, calling them tragic cases, but maintained that if the border security bill had been passed nine months earlier, there would have been more border agents and support to prevent future harm. Baier played a clip from one of the mothers who blamed the Biden-Harris administration's open border policies for her daughter's death.

When pressed on whether she owed the families an apology, Harris reiterated her sympathy but shifted focus to Donald Trump's refusal to participate in solutions. She maintained that the administration has been working to fix a broken system that transcends any single presidency.

Policy Reversals and 2019 Campaign Positions

Baier raised questions about Harris's evolving positions on immigration policy, pointing to her 2019 presidential campaign when she supported allowing immigrants in the country illegally to apply for driver's licenses, qualify for free tuition at universities, and be enrolled in free healthcare. When asked if she still supports those positions, Harris stated that was five years ago and she is clear that she will follow the law.

Baier noted that her running mate, Tim Walz, signed those very policies into law as governor of Minnesota. Harris maintained that both she and Walz are clear that they must support and enforce federal law. When asked about decriminalizing border crossings, which she advocated for in 2019, Harris stated she does not believe in decriminalizing border crossings and has not done that as vice president.

The interview also addressed a Trump campaign ad highlighting Harris's support for taxpayer-funded gender transition surgeries for prisoners and detained illegal aliens. Harris defended her position by stating she would follow the law, noting that such surgeries were available on a medical necessity basis under the Trump administration as well.

Turning the Page While Holding Office

Baier challenged Harris on her campaign slogan of offering "a new way forward" and "turning the page," questioning what she is turning the page from after serving as vice president for three and a half years. He pointed out that more than 70% of people say the country is on the wrong track, and that track follows three and a half years of the Biden-Harris administration.

Harris responded that she is turning the page from the last decade of divisive rhetoric from Donald Trump, rhetoric designed to divide the country and have Americans point fingers at each other. She argued that people are exhausted with a leader who spends time on personal grievances rather than focusing on the American people.

When asked what she would do differently than President Biden, Harris emphasized that her presidency will not be a continuation of Biden's presidency. She noted that she represents a new generation of leadership, has not spent the majority of her career in Washington, and will bring fresh ideas and life experiences to the role.

Biden's Mental Faculties and the 'Enemy Within'

In one of the most pointed exchanges, Baier asked when Harris first noticed that President Biden's mental faculties appeared diminished. He referenced George Clooney's observation that Biden at a fundraiser was not the same person seen at the debate stage, and noted that Harris met with Biden at least once a week for three and a half years.

Harris deflected, stating that Joe Biden is not on the ballot and that Donald Trump is. She praised Biden's judgment and experience in making important decisions on behalf of the American people. When pressed again about concerns, Harris pivoted to criticisms of Trump, citing national security leaders and people who worked with him in the Oval Office who have called him unfit and dangerous.

The interview also addressed Trump's comments about the "enemy within." Harris claimed Trump has repeatedly talked about turning the American military on the American people and locking up those who disagree with him. When Baier played a clip of Trump responding to that characterization during a town hall with Harris Faulkner, Harris insisted the clip was not representative of what Trump has been saying about the enemy within.

Iran as the Greatest Threat

Baier questioned Harris about her statement on 60 Minutes that Iran is America's greatest adversary, noting that many experts, including the FBI director, would say China. Harris defended her position by pointing to her work in the Situation Room responding to Iranian threats against Israel, both in April and October.

She emphasized her commitment to defending and supporting Israel's requirement to defend itself against attacks from Iran and its terrorist proxies in the region. When Baier raised criticism that the administration relaxed or failed to enforce sanctions on Iran, allowing billions to flow into the country, Harris blamed Donald Trump for pulling out of a deal that would have kept Iran in check.

Harris concluded the interview by directing viewers to her campaign website, where she said they could find 80 pages of comprehensive policies on affordable housing, small businesses, and America's military. She maintained that the country has the most lethal and best fighting force in the world.

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