Donald Trump attacks Kamala Harris for California record, ‘dropping like a rock’ in 2020

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TRUMP HITS HARRIS OVER CALIFORNIA RECORD

Former President Donald Trump on Tuesday wasted no time attacking Vice President Kamala Harris, California and her record in the Golden State.

As the two appear to be headed toward a presidential face-off, Trump said during a press call on border security Harris “failed badly” in her 2020 primary campaign.

The former president said that when Harris “started off, she had a little name value and came from a large place, as you know, in California” before “dropping like a rock as soon as people got to know her.”

“If she campaigns the way she campaigned then, I suspect she won’t be too tough,” Trump said.

He also came after Harris on criminal justice issues, painting her as weak on crime during her time as San Francisco District Attorney from 2004 to 2011.

“When she was the DA she started it, she’s destroyed San Francisco, which is a hell of a thing to do,” Trump said.

It’s unclear exactly what Trump meant by “destroyed San Francisco.” The city has been a target for conservative politicians due to its struggles with homelessness and drugs. The former president claimed Harris “voted in favor of deadly sanctuary cities” and “refused to seek the death penalty against anyone.”

In reality, her record on both issues is mixed.

Harris backed a 2008 policy from Gov. Gavin Newsom, then mayor of San Francisco, requiring police to report juvenile immigrants accused of committing certain crimes to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, a controversial issue at the time.

Her campaign later told CNN the policy “could have been applied more fairly.” Harris eventually changed her stance, telling CBS Los Angeles in 2015 “an undocumented immigrant is not a criminal.” During her presidential campaign, she pushed a path to citizenship for those benefiting from Deferred Action on Childhood Arrivals, or DACA.

As district attorney in 2004, Harris did decline to seek the death penalty in the case of a man accused of fatally shooting an on-duty San Francisco police officer. In 2014, as attorney general, Harris appealed a U.S. Circuit Court decision declaring California’s death penalty unconstitutional.

A Circuit Court of Appeals agreed with Harris’ office and kept capital punishment in place. However, she later agreed with Newsom’s decision to place a moratorium on the death penalty during his time in office.

CALIFORNIA OFFICIALS HEAD TO PARIS

California will be well-represented at the Paris Olympics, which kicks off on Friday and runs through Aug. 11. The state is next in line to host the Summer Games, which will come to Los Angeles in 2028.

Interestingly, President Joe Biden’s delegation seems to include members of Congress who supported him before his decision to drop out of the 2024 presidential race and are also close to Vice President Harris, who he’s endorsed to become the new Democratic nominee.

First Lady Jill Biden will lead the United States’ opening ceremony delegation, which includes Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and California Sen. Alex Padilla. Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff, Harris’ husband, will lead the closing ceremony delegation. He will be joined by California Sen. Laphonza Butler and Rep. Robert Garcia.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“Staying hydrated.”

- California Rep. Eric Swalwell to reporters who spotted him emerging from votes carrying a coconut, which has become an online symbol of Vice President Harris’ presidential campaign.

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