Vice President Kamala Harris, both while serving as vice president and senator, caused controversy with Homeland Security agencies and compared one to the Ku Klux Klan (KKK), igniting a since-discredited narrative about horseback riding Border Patrol agents allegedly whipping migrants.
At a confirmation hearing in 2018, then-Senator Harris asked Ronald Vitiello, who was former President Donald Trump’s nominee to head Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), if he was “aware of the perception” of parallels between the KKK and ICE.
Harris spotlighted a 2015 tweet from Vitiello in which he said the Democratic Party was like a “neo-Klanist” entity. Vitiello admitted those words were offensive and apologized.
“What is the history that would then make those words wrong?” asked Harris, to which Vitiello replied that the KKK would be labeled a domestic terrorist group using today’s standards and was motivated by ethnicity and race and tried to use “fear and force.”
“Are you aware of the perception of many about how the power and the discretion at ICE is being used to enforce the laws, and do you see any parallels?” Harris asked.
Vitiello pressed back against the then-senator’s questioning, saying, “I do not see any parallels” between the white supremacist group and the agency, and asked her whether she was asking him if the two were in the same category.
“No, I’m very specific about what I’m asking you. Are you aware of a perception that the way that they…” Harris continued before the nominee said, “I see none.”
“Are you aware that there is a perception that ICE is administering its power in a way that is causing fear and intimidation, particularly among immigrants and specifically among immigrants coming from Mexico and Central America?” Harris asked again.
Harris wrapped up her questioning by asking whether Vitiello could lead the agency if he was unaware of its negative views.
“Sir, how can you be the head of an agency and be unaware of how your agency is perceived by certain communities?” asked Harris.
At the time, the senator’s questioning sparked outrage, with the GOP accusing her of making the comparison for political purposes.
“Kamala Harris is trying to launch her 2020 campaign off of comparing ICE officers to the KKK, and it’s absolutely disgusting,” said Ronna McDaniel, then-Republican National Committee Chair.
In 2021 — three years later — Sen. Harris upset Border Patrol agents when she helped fuel the false narrative about the horseback agents who encountered illegal migrants during a surge of Haitian migrants in Del Rio, Texas.
“What I saw depicted about those individuals on horseback treating human beings the way they were was horrible,” said Harris to reporters. “And I fully support what is happening right now, which is a thorough investigation into exactly what is going on there. But human beings should never be treated that way. And I’m deeply troubled about it. And I’ll also be talking to [Homeland Security] Secretary [Alejandro] Mayorkas about it today.”
This statement from Harris coincided with statements by Joe Biden, who promised “they will pay.” Just days later, Harris claimed the images evoked slavery.
“Human beings should not be treated that way,” said Harris to the hosts of “The View.” “It also invoked images of some of the worst moments in our history, where that kind of behavior has been used against the Indigenous people of our country; it has been used against African Americans during times of slavery.”
An ensuing investigation faulted the agents for minor infractions by finding the claims migrants were whipped were untrue. Secretary Mayorkas, who had been critical of the agents, would later go on to defend them last year when a reporter cited the incident.
“Well, let me just correct you right there because, actually, the investigation concluded that the whipping did not occur,” said Mayorkas.
Harris’ comments sparked anger from Border Patrol agents
“Again, it is clear that those in charge, a term that is disgusting to use, have no clue about our operations and frankly operate by ignorance and unhinged emotions,” said one.
However, Harris hasn’t backed down from her comments on either incident.
“The only ‘plan’ Donald Trump has to secure our border is ripping mothers from their children and a few xenophobic placards at the Republican National Convention,” said Kevin Munoz, Harris campaign spokesperson, in a Monday statement. “He tanked the bipartisan border security deal because, for Donald Trump, this has never been about solutions, just running on a problem. Like everything with Donald Trump, it’s never been about helping the country; it’s only about helping himself. There’s only one candidate in this race who will fight for bipartisan solutions to strengthen border security: Vice President Harris.”
Immigration is likely to remain a top priority for Kamala Harris if she is elected president, with the ongoing border crisis. She was tasked with heading international diplomacy to deal with the illegal migrant crisis in 2021, which led to her being named the “border czar” by media outlets and the GOP. Her campaign has stated that if elected, she will fight for solutions to strengthen the border. It has also aimed at signs calling for mass deportations at the recent Republican National Convention.
