Kamala Harris destroys Trump and Vince in Springfield

Kamala Harris gave an emotional and powerful response when asked about Trump and Vance's racist lies about Springfield, OH.

Video of Vice President Harris.

Kamala Harris calls what Trump and Vance did in Springfield, Ohio with their lies “a crying shame.” Here is his full and powerful response, speaking to the National Association of Black Journalists. pic.twitter.com/1SOlJK1iau

Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) September 17, 2024

Harris told the Association of Black Journalists when asked about Springfield.

It's a crying shame. I mean, my heart breaks for this community.

You know, there were kids, elementary school kids. Who was it, was it school photo day? Do you remember what it's like? Going to school on picture day. Those dressed in their best, had everything ready, knew what they were going to wear the night before. And it had to be evacuated. Children, children! An entire community is in fear.

And I will say a couple of things about it. One, you know, I've learned a long time in my career as a prosecutor. When you have these positions, when you have a microphone like this in front of you, you really have to understand on a very deep level how much your words matter. I learned at a very young stage in my career that the meaning of my words can affect whether someone is free or in prison.

As the Attorney General of California, the fifth largest economy in the world. I was acutely aware that my words could move the markets.

When you're given such a big microphone, it comes with a lot of responsibility. It is an extension of everything that should not be lost at this time. This concept of public trust to then understand what public trust means. It means trust is invested in being responsible for the way you use your words, let alone how you act.

And especially when you have been and are now seeking to become the President of the United States of America.

And so I come back, it's a shame, literally, what's happening to those families, to the children in that community, not to mention what's happening, look, you say you care about law enforcement; Law enforcement resources are deployed. this is because of the serious threats that are being made against a community that has been living a productive, good life until then and is spreading lies based on ancient traditions.

And look, I said it in a debate not too far from here the other day. This is not news. This is nothing new in terms of these tropes. This is nothing new in terms of where it comes from. And, you know, whether it's refusing to rent to people, renting to black families, or whether it's taking out a full-page ad in the New York Times against five innocent black and Latino teenagers, the Central Park Five, calling for their execution.

Whether it's lying to the first black president of the United States, give birth to their lies. And here, the American people deserve, and I believe want, better than this. I believe in it. I know, I know, the vast majority of us as Americans know that we have far more in common than what divides us.

I know that. I know that regardless of someone's background, race, gender, geographic location. I know people are deeply concerned with that community in Springfield, Ohio. And it has to stop. And we have to say that you cannot be trusted behind the seal of the President of the United States of America, engaging in that hateful rhetoric that, as always, is designed to divide us as a country, to have people. pointing fingers at each other. It is designed to do this. And I think most people in our country, regardless of their race, are beginning to understand this nonsense. And, and to say, you know what, let's turn the page on this.

It's exhausting, it's harmful, it's hateful, and, and, and, and it's based on some age-old stuff that we should have no tolerance for. So let's turn the page and chart a new path and say you can't have that microphone again.

Trump and Vance continue to lie about Springfield because they don't care what their lies do to the community.

Kamala Harris gave a very powerful and human answer to what is happening in Springfield. His thoughts on how Trump? and Vance's lie is an abuse of public trust that is not discussed often enough.

Trump and Vance are trying to dehumanize immigrants. Kamala Harris told the nation why she should reject their efforts.

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Jason is the managing editor. She is also the White House Press Center and Congressional Correspondent for PoliticusUSA. Jason has a BA in Political Science. Her graduate work focused on public policy, specializing in social reform movements.

Awards and professional memberships

Member of the Society of Professional Journalists and the American Political Science Association