Vice President Kamala Harris said during her CBS interview Sunday that ‘democracy’ is the most significant national security threat facing the United States.
As her boss, President Joe Biden tries to force his voting rights agenda through Congress, she tried to echo the Democrats’ warnings about the “integrity” of America’s democratic system.
Harris offered her defense of the Biden administration’s chaotic withdrawal in Afghanistan in August. She instead blamed its predecessor for setting the date.
“What do you consider the greatest national security threat facing the U.S.?” Is there anything that keeps you awake at night and worries you? Margaret Brennan, Face the Nation host, asked.
He replied, “Frankly one of them” was our democracy. That’s what I’m able to talk about, since it’s not classified.
“There’s no doubt in my mind that 2021 will not be the same year as 2000. It’s amazing how much of foreign and domestic policies were influenced by Sept 11 2001.
Kamala Harris spoke out about the Afghan withdrawal and threats to national security in the last segment of this CBS interview.
“And we’re embarking upon – a new age where the threats that our nation take many form, including the threat from autocracies taking control and exerting an outsized influence all around the globe.
She changed her initial remarks and stressed the importance of fighting for integrity in our democracy.
The vice president also praised Biden’s departure from one piece of post-9/11 strategy in pulling out from Afghanistan following a twenty-year occupation.
Bipartisan criticism of Biden’s top officers and the withdrawal plan that failed to deliver on his promise not to leave any American behind was levelled at Biden. This was despite bipartisan support.
In August’s chaotic scene outside Kabul Airport, 170 Afghan civilians were killed and 13 American service personnel were injured in a suicide attack.
Harris said that she was the last person to be in the room at the moment Biden made his critical decision. However, Harris did not respond when she was asked whether or not she took responsibility for this shambolic act.
It was also Biden’s agreement to withdraw US troops from Afghanistan that she noted,
Trump brokered the deal in negotiations, which excluded the American-backed Afghan government.
Harris did not say whether or not she was responsible for the Kabul evacuation chaos, but instead blamed the Trump administration
Harris added, “I supported the president’s decision after what seemed like an endless war to, to withdraw American troops from Afghanistan. I don’t think it was surprising that previous administrations negotiated with Taliban and did not invite Afghan officials to join them at the table. They also negotiated a deal that would have the Taliban agree to withdraw by May 31, as required.”
“So, we had to assume that responsibility due to an agreement made between the United States (USA) and Taliban.
She said she does not regret signing off on the deal and that the alternative might have caused her even more conflict.
Harris stated that they decided to end the agreement because it would create a new situation. Right now, Harris believes that we would still be discussing the war in Afghanistan if the agreement was broken.
“And American troops were in Afghanistan. And we are not talking about that. It’s not something I regret.
Brennan asked Harris about her 30-year-old career as a champion for women and girls. She also raised concerns over Afghan females’ plight under Taliban control.
Harris explained that one of the major issues when we talk with Taliban leaders is this issue, which concerns the conditions, the status, treatment and rights of women and girls. This includes access to education for girls. Harris also said that these are very real problems.
She stated that the US had teamed up with the United Nations to “bypass Taliban” to ensure aid reached women and girls.
Harris pledged that he would continue to fight for Afghanistan’s women and girls, who have been forced to live with the Taliban.
The Biden administration stated earlier this week that it would increase aid flow to Afghan humanitarian organisations in order to alleviate the country’s economic crisis after the upheaval. However, it did not fear the Taliban could seize it.
Harris stated that he was concerned that Taliban have not followed our guidelines for the proper treatment and treatment of women and girls. Harris added that this is why Harris is standing with them now.
As the withdrawal was progressing in August, the vice president faced her own critiques of her handling the Afghanistan crisis.
Video of Harris asking Harris about Americans stuck in Afghanistan, and how they can leave was captured by Harris on August 23.
Harris said, “Hold On, Hold on, Hold on,” before the reporter could complete his sentence.
She said, “Slow Down, Everyone,” after having a great laugh.
Harris replied, “I want you to discuss two things,” Harris continued. Harris said, “First, Afghanistan. It is our highest priority right now.”
“And we must make sure that Americans, Afghans working with us and Afghans at-risk are evacuated safely. That is our top priority, if it is not the most important right now.
She said, “And it’s been a major area of focus for my in the past days, weeks, and will continue,’
She was still criticized for not speaking up about the situation of girls and women several times over the course of her stay, before promising that the US would protect them.
Sunday Harris also answered questions on CBS about her role of border czar for Biden.
Harris was only able to spend two days in Guatemala or Mexico to work on the matter since the president appointed her as the head of the federal government’s response in March to illegal migration southward.
Her famous message to Guatemalans to “not come” to the US border was criticized by civil rights organizations and her party members.
“When I visited Guatemala, I spoke with Guatemalans about the things I had spoken to people in the same room about. The vast majority of people from any country don’t want leave their home. Harris stated that they don’t want leave their language.
Harris and Pedro Brolo (Guatemala’s Minister Of Foreign Affairs) wave to Harris at the arrival ceremony in Guatemala City on Sunday, June 6. Guatemala’s president stated that Harris has not heard from him since his trip.
Harris also insisted that dealing with the ‘root causes’ of migration is still her primary focus, despite Guatemalan President Alejandro Giammattei telling Fox News just weeks ago that he hadn’t heard from the vice president since June.
She refused to admit to being criticised by her boss for giving her tough tasks, such as voting rights and illegal immigration, to her deputy. Defiantly declaring that she wasn’t’set up for failure’
Harris added that Harris is the Vice President of United States and any issue I deal with, it is because it’s difficult, and cannot be dealt at another level.
“And there are many big, difficult issues that must be addressed. It has been a part of my career for many years to tackle difficult issues. This is not the first time.
Harris declined to use the opportunity to attribute her criticisms to racism or misogyny and stated: “I’ll let that be dealt with by others.”
Harris bluntly was asked by Brennan what Harris’ greatest failure this year. Harris replied, laughing: “To not get out D.C. more.’