During an interview on NBC News’ “Today” show, Kamala Harris spoke with anchor Lester Holt about her trip to Guatemala, how the administration is addressing the immigration crisis, and over whether she plans to visit the southern border herself. Harris was named “border czar” by Joe Biden in March.
When Holt grilled Harris over whether she has “any plans to visit the border”, the vice president laughed, appearing to shrug off the border crisis.
“At some point,” Harris claimed. “You know, we are going to the border. We’ve been to the border. So this whole, this whole thing about the border– we’ve been to the border. We’ve been to the border”.
Holt quickly corrected Harris, telling her directly, “You haven’t been to the border.”
“And I haven’t been to Europe,” Harris replied, before laughing. “I mean, I don’t understand the point you’re making. I’m not discounting the point you’re making.”
“Listen, I care about what’s happening at the border,” she alleged. “I’m in Guatemala because my focus is dealing with the root causes of migration. There may be some who think that is not important, but it is my firm belief that if we care about what’s happening at the border, we better care about the root causes and address them. So that’s what I’m doing.” Video Below
Kamala Harris’ remarks:
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy reacted to Harris’ comments, writing on Twitter, “The Vice President thinks the border crisis is a hilarious joke.”
The Vice President thinks the border crisis is a hilarious joke. pic.twitter.com/e3SA3JdfKa
— Kevin McCarthy (@GOPLeader) June 8, 2021
McCarthy suggested that Harris should stop by McAllen, Texas on her way back from Mexico City:
On her way back from Mexico City, VP Kamala Harris should stop by McAllen, Texas—a border community overwhelmed by illegal immigrants, drug cartels, and COVID risks.
No guarantee that the flight serves cookies of her likeness, but it's just a 2-hour plane ride. pic.twitter.com/E4k71VA5sd
— Kevin McCarthy (@GOPLeader) June 8, 2021
Continued Below
Chad Gilmartin, communications for McCarthy, tweeted:
When will @VP Kamala Harris visit the border?
👉 “Not today” (March 22)
👉 “At some point, absolutely, we will go” (March 24)
👉 “I’m not going to play political games” (April 25)
👉 Border visits are “grand gestures” (June 7)
👉 “And I haven’t been to Europe” (June 7)
— Chad Gilmartin (@ChadGilmartinCA) June 8, 2021
Kamala Harris’ full remarks:
“We have to deal with what's happening at the border.”@VP Kamala Harris spoke exclusively with @LesterHoltNBC on her first trip overseas, how the administration is addressing the immigration crisis, and if she plans to visit the southern border herself. pic.twitter.com/sA4We7peeR
— TODAY (@TODAYshow) June 8, 2021
