A high-ranking official from the Biden administration has labeled Vice President Kamala Harris’s involvement in immigration and border issues as largely “ineffective.”
Administration Discord
This critique comes amidst reports detailing discord within the administration regarding the ongoing border crisis.
Presidential Assignment
President Joe Biden appointed Harris as a point person on the crisis in March 2021. However, the border crisis continues to weigh down the president and his administration.
Defined Responsibilities
Axios on Monday reported that Harris and her aides emphasized from the outset that her duties were confined to addressing the root causes and drivers of immigration from countries such as Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras, collectively known as the Northern Triangle.
Ineffective Harris
A former Biden administration official told the outlet, “She’s been at best ineffective, and at worst sporadically engaged and not seeing it was her responsibility. It’s an opportunity for her, and she didn’t fill the breach.”
Harris Blames Republicans
In a January conversation with journalist Katie Couric, Harris pointed fingers at Republicans for politicizing the border situation.
Solution Participation
“We are trying to compel, in particular, some of the Republicans in Congress to participate in the solution,” Harris noted.
November Political Issue
She added, “But sadly, we want to fix it and they want to run on it. They want a political issue to run on in November.”
Opposition to Deportation Pause
Axios highlighted the turmoil within the Biden administration’s handling of the border crisis, noting that the Department of Homeland Security imposed a 100-day pause on deportations on Biden’s first day in office, with reports indicating DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas opposed the pause at the time.
Mutual Suspicion
According to the report, Harris and former National Security Advisor Susan Rice harbored mutual suspicion towards each other, with Rice feeling more knowledgeable on the issue and taking the lead.
Rice Criticizes Becerra
Rice also referred to Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra as a “bitch ass” and privately labeled him an “idiot” due to what was seen as his reluctance to secure additional space in child migrant shelters.
“Exploded with Fury”
President Biden also purportedly “exploded with fury” at his team of advisors on Air Force One during his excursion to Arizona in August 2023.
Frustration Grows
The president’s frustration escalated when they could not provide a specific piece of immigration data he requested, exacerbating the escalating tensions within his administration.
Irritability Hinders Decision-Making
Biden’s aides also expressed frustration regarding the president’s irritability concerning the crisis, which hindered decision-making.
“Do Not Come”
Harris’ trip to Guatemala in the summer of 2021 was widely seen as ineffective, particularly after she advised migrants “do not come” during a press conference.
VP’s Border Visit
Despite the vice president’s initial hesitance to visit the border, she eventually undertook the trip following former President Donald Trump’s announcement of his own visit, aiming to showcase his attention to the matter.
Visit after 93 Days
Harris’s border visit occurred 93 days after her appointment by Biden to spearhead the crisis response.
Broken Immigration System
Harris and the White House have opted to attribute the failure to address a “broken” immigration system to Republicans in Congress, as the 2024 campaign to re-elect Biden gains momentum.
Pushing Republicans
After Republicans rejected his recent request for billions in new enforcement funding, Biden stated, “I’ve been pushing them — my Republican colleagues — since I got in office. I think we have to make a major change in the border.”
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