WASHINGTON — Vice President Kamala Harris commented on the process of selecting a running mate for former President Donald Trump as he seeks a second term with President Joe Biden, claiming that the former president wanted an “advocate” in his running mate, in a new interview.
“[Trump]doesn't want a partner in the administration. He doesn't want another Mike Pence. I think that's clear,” Harris told Politico Playbook over the weekend. “The test is whether they're going to be absolutely loyal to Trump over their country, their oath of office or, frankly, the American people.”
USA Today has reached out to the Trump campaign for comment.
Harris' comments came shortly after the Trump campaign sent out vetting papers to potential running mates for vice president, including North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance and South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott.
Harris did not name most of Trump's running mates, but criticized many of their stances on abortion restrictions.
Prepare to vote: See who's running for president and compare their positions on key issues with our Voter Guide
“Everyone on the list either supported Trump's abortion ban in their state or called for a national ban,” Harris said. “In fact, many voted against contraception rights in the Senate. They have a long way to go.”
The “Contraception Rights Bill,” introduced by Democratic Senator Ed Markey of Massachusetts, aims to enshrine people's right to use contraception and protect the right of medical professionals to distribute contraception. The bill needed 60 votes to pass, but was defeated last week by a vote of 51 to 39. Republican Senators Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska joined the Democrats in voting in favor.
President Trump has said he supports states enacting their own abortion restrictions, not necessarily a nationwide ban.
Harris was speaking out about one of Trump's running mates, Rep. Byron Donald (R-Fla.), who argued at a Trump campaign event in Philadelphia last week that black families “stayed together” during the Jim Crow era.
“Sadly, this is another example of someone in Florida trying to erase or rewrite our true history,” she said. “I went to Florida last July and condemned them for trying to replace our history with lies, and apparently there's a never-ending stream of that stuff coming out of that state.”
Last year, Florida unveiled a new curriculum that recommended teaching state students about “how slaves learned skills that could be applied for personal gain.” Harris visited the state at the time and criticized “radical so-called leaders who are trying to push propaganda on our children,” sparking a spat with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.
Trump campaign communications director Steven Chang responded to Harris' comments in a statement to USA Today, calling her “the most incompetent and inept vice president in American history” and criticizing the Biden administration's handling of issues including the southern border and the economy.
Contributors: Savannah Kuchar, Rachel Barber and Francesca Chambers, USA TODAY
