She can’t keep lying to us.
In an interview on NBC’s “Today,” Vice President Kamala Harris chose to recite prepared talking points rather than directly address Russia’s aggression toward Ukraine and Biden’s claims that the midterm elections may not be legitimate.
The contentious interview began with host Savannah Guthrie questioning the Vice President about President Biden possibly green-lighting Russian President Vladimir Putin’s aggressive actions toward Ukraine, as statements made by Biden in his Wednesday (January 19) press conference alluded to the U.S. response to Russia depending on the severity of the incursion.
Harris responded by saying that Biden has “been very clear… If Putin takes aggressive action, we are prepared to levy serious costs. Period. She added that “part of the posture that we have taken is grounded in the respect and the value we place in ––” Guthrie interrupted, insisting the President had not been clear.
“Thirty minutes after the news conference, the White House press secretary had to actually clarify the president’s remarks.” Harris cut in, seemingly irritated by Guthrie’s remarks. “I’m being clear with you right now. And so if you’re interested, I’ll continue to be clear.”
The back-and-forth continued with Guthrie continuing her line of questioning on the Russia-Ukraine situation, querying if there would be an amount of land the U.S. would turn a blind eye to if Putin chose to pursue Ukraine and if the administration’s sanction threats weren’t affecting Putin.
The Vice President said she wouldn’t psychoanalyze Putin, saying instead that an attack on Ukraine’s sovereignty would be considered aggressive and met with “severe cost.”
But Guthrie persisted, wondering if Biden’s statements were damaging the U.S. stance on Ukraine and if –– given these remarks –– Putin would listen to the administration’s statements in future.
Harris tried to keep her composure in her response, attempting to establish her authority, saying she was Vice President and that she and the President “work closely together.” Therefore, she knew Biden’s position as he had “been consistent in that regard,” reiterating that if Putin were to take any aggressive action against Ukraine, he would “be met with a cost that will be severe.”
It’s not only Harris who has been asked to clarify Biden’s statements, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki has been fielding questions and concerns about Biden’s highly misleading and inconsistent remarks in his first press conference of the year.
