WASHINGTON, D.C. — Vice President Kamala Harris appeared to stand by President Joe Biden after he faced backlash for referring to some voters as “garbage” in a recent statement. Harris, responding to criticism over the president’s remarks, suggested that Biden had clarified his comments and emphasized her own stance against judging people based on their political preferences.
“Listen, I think that first of all, he clarified his comments,” Harris said, seeking to downplay the controversy. While she did not elaborate on the specifics of Biden’s clarification, Harris seemed to indicate that the president’s remarks were misunderstood or taken out of context.
She also emphasized her disagreement with criticizing people for their voting choices, adding, “I strongly disagree with any criticism of people based on who they vote for. You heard my speech last night.”
Biden’s original comments, in which he referred to tens of millions of voters as “garbage,” had drawn significant backlash, with critics arguing that such language was divisive. Harris’s response suggests an attempt to maintain unity within the administration while also addressing concerns that the remarks could alienate potential voters.
The incident highlights the challenges both Biden and Harris face in appealing to a broad coalition of voters while navigating criticism from both political allies and opponents. Harris’s response reflects the administration’s balancing act as it seeks to explain Biden’s comments while avoiding further controversy.