Topline
Vice President Kamala Harris argued Sunday that baseless claims about the integrity of the 2020 election could undermine whether the United States is viewed as a “role model” for democracy, marking the latest Biden Administration official in recent weeks to sharply criticize those who have falsely insisted the last presidential election was rigged.
Vice President Kamala Harris speaks at a forum.
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Key Facts
The fact that several Republicans running in state-level races for secretary of state—whom Harris called the “keepers of the integrity of the voting system”—have denied the legitimacy of the 2020 election allows people worldwide to “call into question” U.S. commitment to democracy, Harris said in an interview with NBC’s Meet The Press.
That’s a “shame,” she said, arguing the U.S. in the past has had the “privilege” of “holding our head up as a defender and an example of a great democracy.”
But election deniers and those who don’t denounce the January 6 Capitol riot are “a threat” to America’s perceptions abroad, Harris said, because those beliefs “[cause]
people to question … is America still valuing what they talk about?”
Contra
Asked on Meet The Press whether it’s possible to change the minds of an estimated 70% of Republicans who don’t believe the 2020 presidential election was legitimate, Harris questioned whether the percentage was that high. Instead, she said, Americans are more concerned by issues that impact their families, such as the cost of living, prescription drug prices, abortion and infrastructure.
Key Background
Harris’ remarks come as President Joe Biden ramps up his attacks on “MAGA Republicans” who echo former President Donald Trump’s claims about the 2020 election. Biden has called out lawmakers who have downplayed the January 6 insurrection in particular, arguing such behavior is a threat to U.S. democracy, and has said Trump’s philosophy is akin to “semi-facism.” Trump and his supporters have lambasted Biden for the comments, with the former president calling Biden an “enemy of the state” and some Republicans arguing Biden’s condemnation of Trump’s backers was overly broad, though Biden has insisted he isn’t referring to all Republican voters. Harris defended Biden’s remarks Sunday, arguing there are “moments in time” to “speak up” about attacks on democracy.
Further Reading
Kamala Harris calls domestic threats ‘dangerous’ and ‘harmful’ (NBC)
Election deniers damage U.S. reputation on the world stage, Harris says (Politico)
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