Vice President Kamala Harris Breaks White House Silence on Trump’s Legal Issues, Calls for Accountability
Vice President Kamala Harris has made a significant departure from the White House’s policy of silence regarding former President Donald Trump’s legal issues. In a recent interview in Jakarta, Indonesia, where she is attending the US-ASEAN summit, Harris called for “accountability” for the events of January 6, 2021.
Harris stated, “Let the evidence, the facts, take it where it may.” As a former prosecutor, she believes that people should be held accountable under the law, and when they break the law, there should be consequences. She expressed her support for accountability when it happens.
When asked whether this accountability would extend to Trump, who was indicted twice last month and is facing charges related to his efforts to overturn the 2020 election, Harris replied, “Well, everyone has their right to their day in court, but absolutely, people should be held accountable, but under our system of law, right? Let the evidence and facts take it where it may.”
These comments from Vice President Harris come following relative silence from the White House on the matter since Trump was indicted on criminal charges related to the 2020 election by two grand juries. The White House has been careful to avoid any appearance of interfering with the federal investigations.
As part of special counsel Jack Smith’s federal investigation into the events of January 6, Trump has been charged with conspiracy to defraud the United States; conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding; obstruction of and attempt to obstruct an official proceeding; and conspiracy against rights. He was subsequently charged for a fourth time by an Atlanta-based grand jury on charges stemming from his and 18 others’ efforts to overturn the 2020 election.
For President Biden, Trump’s third and fourth indictments carry personal significance. What initially began as an attempt to deny Biden the presidency is now progressing through federal and state courts, and the accountability Biden once deemed “necessary” for the insurrection is now underway.
The White House has chosen not to comment on the indictments, deferring questions to the Department of Justice.
President Biden has previously been vocal about the events of January 6, stating that Trump and his allies held “a dagger at the throat of America” through lies and violence following Trump’s election loss. However, since the indictments were handed down, Biden has largely refrained from speaking out.
When asked about Trump’s mugshot, President Biden jokingly remarked to reporters, “Handsome guy, wonderful guy,” keeping his further comments to himself.