During the highly anticipated vice presidential debate on Tuesday night, Senator Kamala Harris did not hold back in her criticism of former President Donald Trump. In a fiery exchange with Vice President Mike Pence, Harris slammed Trump for his handling of foreign affairs, specifically his relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Harris, who is the first Black and South Asian American woman to be nominated for vice president by a major political party, did not mince her words as she called out Trump’s lack of leadership and his cozy relationship with Putin. “If Donald Trump was currently in office, Putin would have already taken Kyiv,” Harris stated, referring to the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. “And if Trump returns to the White House, mark my words, Putin will eat you for lunch.”
The debate, which was hosted by ABC News in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, saw Harris and Pence go head-to-head on a variety of issues, including the COVID-19 pandemic, the economy, and racial justice. However, it was their discussion on foreign policy that sparked the most heated moments of the night.
Harris, a former prosecutor and attorney general of California, wasted no time in highlighting Trump’s failure to hold Putin accountable for his actions. She pointed out that Trump has repeatedly praised Putin and even invited him to the White House, despite evidence of Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election.
“Donald Trump has consistently shown that he is more interested in appeasing Putin than protecting our democracy,” Harris declared. “He has failed to stand up to Russia’s aggression and has instead chosen to cozy up to a dictator who poses a threat to our national security.”
Harris also criticized Trump for his lack of action in response to reports of Russian bounties on American soldiers in Afghanistan. She accused Trump of ignoring intelligence briefings and failing to take any meaningful steps to address the issue.
Pence, on the other hand, defended Trump’s record on Russia and accused Harris of being too quick to trust intelligence reports. He also pointed out that the Trump administration has imposed sanctions on Russia and provided lethal aid to Ukraine, actions that were not taken by the Obama-Biden administration.
However, Harris was quick to counter Pence’s claims, stating that the sanctions were only imposed after pressure from Congress and that the aid to Ukraine was delayed by Trump for his own personal gain. “Let’s be clear, the only reason Trump provided aid to Ukraine was because he got caught trying to extort them for his own political gain,” Harris asserted.
The exchange between Harris and Pence highlighted the stark differences between the two tickets when it comes to foreign policy. While the Biden-Harris campaign has promised to restore America’s standing on the global stage and hold authoritarian leaders accountable, the Trump-Pence administration has been criticized for its lack of a coherent foreign policy strategy.
Harris’ strong stance against Putin and her unwavering support for Ukraine was met with praise from many, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. In a tweet following the debate, Zelensky thanked Harris for her “clear and strong support” for Ukraine and expressed hope for continued cooperation between the two countries.
The debate also saw Harris and Pence clash on other issues, such as the Trump administration’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and the economy. However, it was Harris’ bold statements on foreign policy that left a lasting impression on viewers.
As the debate came to a close, Harris reiterated her belief that Trump’s actions have weakened America’s standing in the world and that a Biden-Harris administration would work to restore America’s leadership and credibility. “We need a president who will stand up to our adversaries, not cozy up to them,” Harris stated.
The vice presidential debate may not have had the same level of drama as the first presidential debate, but it certainly provided a glimpse into the stark differences between the two tickets. Harris’ strong and confident performance has only solidified her position as a formidable force in this election and has left many wondering what the future holds for her political career.
In the end, it was clear that Harris was not afraid to speak her mind and call out Trump for his failures. Her words were a reminder that the American people deserve a leader who will put their interests first and stand up to those who seek to harm our country. And that leader, according to Harris, is not Donald Trump.
