Read the full transcript of Vice President Kamala Harris’ interview with NBC News’ Hallie Jackson.
Listen to the audio version here:
TRANSCRIPT:
HALLIE JACKSON: Thank you, Madam Vice President, for your time.
KAMALA HARRIS: I’m glad to be with you. Thank you.
HALLIE JACKSON: We were just talking about the campaign trail yesterday and these key Rust Belt battlegrounds, as they call them. Talking with undecided voters, we’re reaching out that olive branch to these voters. You want to bring them on board. For them, for so many voters, we know that a huge issue for them is the economy. It’s the cost of living. I’ve been on the campaign trail. I hear that in the field again and again. You look at some of the numbers on this, and our new NBC News poll shows that more voters think that the Biden administration policies have hurt them rather than help them.
And I wonder, are the last four years an obstacle to you in this race?
Economic Policy and Plans
KAMALA HARRIS: Here’s how I look at it. First of all, let me be very clear. Mine will not be a continuation of the Biden administration. I bring my own experiences, my own ideas to it. It has informed a number of my areas of focus, most of which are, to your point, lowering costs. I have been traveling the country. Let me be very clear. The cost of groceries is still too high. The voters know it. I know it.
Part of my plan includes what we need to do to bring down the price of groceries, including the work I will do dealing with price gouging, something I dealt with when I was Attorney General and something I will deal with going forward.
Cost of housing. I’m speaking with people of every background in every area of the country of every age. The idea of the American Dream was something that previous generations could count on, not as much anymore. Bringing down the cost of housing by doing what I have done in my career that perhaps is a different approach, which is really actively working with the private sector, for example, homebuilders, to create incentives for them to build millions of new homes and housing units so we can bring down the cost, including what I will do to give people a $25,000 down payment assistance if they are a first-time homebuyer.
So these are examples. The examples is what I am going to do to expand the child tax credit because, listen, young parents in particular, they need help. They have a natural desire to parent their children well, but not all the resources. $6,000 extra during the first year of their child’s life can help them buy a crib or a car seat or clothes, the things that are so crucial to that phase of their child’s development.
So my plans and my policies are really directed at exactly your point, doing what we must do to bring down the cost of living, but also to help people not just get by, but get ahead. I’m proud to report to you that economists from Nobel laureates to Goldman Sachs have reviewed my economic plan versus Donald Trump’s and, in comparison, have found that my plans will strengthen America’s economy, his plans will weaken America’s economy.
HALLIE JACKSON: Then why do you think that’s not landing with voters? Because the numbers, it’s the opposite. Former President Trump leads you on this issue.
KAMALA HARRIS: Well, this is why I’m going out to Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and Michigan, excuse me, just got in late this morning, actually, but going to three states yesterday and I’m going to continue being on the road. I have to earn the vote, and it means sharing with folks my plan, but also offering them what objective analysts have shown to be the contrast between me and Donald Trump. My plans are focused on working people, the middle class, and what we must do to strengthen hard-working people to be able to do what they dream and aspire to be able to do.
His plans are about giving tax cuts, massive tax cuts, to billionaires and big corporations. His so-called plan for the economy, economists have estimated, will exasperate inflation and invite a recession by the middle of next year. So there’s a huge difference between him and I.
Gender and Leadership
HALLIE JACKSON: Let me ask you about something that you said when you were running for president the last time around, back in 2019. At the time, you said that the elephant in the room was whether the country was ready for a woman and a woman of color to be president. So let me ask you as you sit here today, do you think the country is ready now for a woman and a woman of color to be president?
KAMALA HARRIS: Absolutely. Absolutely. And I am saying that in terms of every walk of life of our country, you know, I think part of what is important in this election is really not only turning the page but closing the page and the chapter on an era that suggests that Americans are divided. What I know from personal experience, from lived experience and from my travels even most recently, the vast majority of us have so much more in common than what separates us.
And what the American people want in their president is a president for all Americans, which is the type and kind of president I pledge to be. This is my life’s work. As you know, I started as a prosecutor. I never asked a victim of crime, a witness to crime, are you a Republican or Democrat? The only thing I ever asked them is, are you okay? And that’s what the American people want to know regardless of their race, regardless of their gender or their age.
They want to know that they have a president who sees them and understands their needs and focuses on their needs, understanding we all deserve to have a president who is focused on solutions and not just standing the flames of division and hate.
Campaign Focus and Priorities
HALLIE JACKSON: You’ve been reluctant to lean into, to talk about the historic nature of your candidacy on the campaign trail. Why is that?
KAMALA HARRIS: Well, I’m clearly a woman. I don’t need to point that out to anyone. The point that most people really care about is, can you do the job? And do you have a plan to actually focus on them? And that is why I spend the majority of my time listening and then addressing the concerns, the challenges, the dreams, the ambitions, and the aspirations of the American people.
They deserve to have a president who is focused on them as opposed to a Donald Trump who is constantly focused on himself. I think that’s part of why people are exhausted with Donald Trump and his approach because it’s all about himself and his personal grievances and not about the American people, not about how are you going to help families, how are you going to help small businesses, how are you going to strengthen our economy? These are the things I’m focused on. I’m focused on investing in the new industries on which America should lead and be a global leader.
Gender Gap and Voter Support
HALLIE JACKSON: I ask because to implement the agenda that you want to implement, you have to win first. You have to win the White House. And right now, there is a big gender gap in this race. Fewer men support you right now than they did President Biden. Some of your allies have suggested there’s sexism at play. I wonder, do you think there is sexism at play here?
KAMALA HARRIS: Let me just tell you something. You come to my events, and you will see there are men and women at those events, whether it be small events or events with 10,000 people. So the experience that I am having is one in which it is clear that regardless of someone’s gender, they want to know that their president has a plan to lower costs, that their president has a plan to secure America in the context of our position around the world. They want a president of the United States who honors our military, who understands the importance of America’s leadership around international rules and norms. And that is regardless of gender. And that is how I will lead.
HALLIE JACKSON: Do you not see sexism as a factor in this race at all?
KAMALA HARRIS: I don’t think of it that way. My challenge is the challenge of making sure I can talk with and listen to as many voters as possible and earn their vote. And I will never assume that anyone in our country should elect a leader based on their gender or their race. Instead, that that leader needs to earn the vote based on substance and what they will do to address challenges and to inspire people to know that their aspirations and their ambitions can and will be achieved through the opportunity to do that.
Reproductive Rights and Abortion Access
HALLIE JACKSON: Some of those voters that I spoke with at some of the events yesterday, for example, talked about they were there to support you, but also your agenda when it comes to reproductive rights and abortion access. And you have cast this as a matter of literal life and death as an urgent priority here. If you win, it is entirely possible that Congress will be controlled by Republicans. So what specific concessions would you be willing to make in order to get something done on abortion access as soon as possible?
KAMALA HARRIS: Well, first of all, look at what has happened since the Dobbs decision came down. A decision that is a direct result of the fact that Donald Trump hand-selected three members of the United States Supreme Court with the intention they would undo the protections of Roe. They did as he intended, and now in 20 states we have Trump abortion bans, which some make no exception for rape or incest, which criminalize health care providers in a state like Texas prison for life for doctors and nurses if they provide reproductive care.
And where we have seen this issue on the ballot, to your point about elections, from red states to blue states, when freedom is on the ballot, the American people vote for freedom regardless of the party they are registered to vote with. We have seen that. And I know that there are members of the United States Congress who are well aware that their constituents are in favor of the very fundamental principle that a woman should be able to make decisions about her own body and not have her government tell her what to do.
HALLIE JACKSON: So is a question of pragmatism then, what concessions would be on the table? Religious exemptions, for example? Is that something that you would consider?
KAMALA HARRIS: I don’t think we should be making concessions when we’re talking about a fundamental freedom to make decisions about your own body.
HALLIE JACKSON: To Republicans like, for example, Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, who would back something like this on a Democratic agenda if, in fact, Republicans control Congress, would you offer them an olive branch? Or is that off the table? Is that not an option for you?
KAMALA HARRIS: I’m not going to engage in hypotheticals because we can go on with a variety of scenarios. Let’s just start with a fundamental fact. A basic freedom has been taken from the women of America. The freedom to make decisions about their own body. And that cannot be negotiable. Which is that we need to put back in the protections of Roe v. Wade. And that is it.
HALLIE JACKSON: But what if you can’t do that? What if you can’t get that passed and you want to save lives in Florida and in Texas and in Georgia? What do you do at that point?
KAMALA HARRIS: I’m not going to go down that rabbit hole with you right now. Because right now…
HALLIE JACKSON: It’s a question that’s out there. It’s not a guarantee that Democrats will win control of Congress.
KAMALA HARRIS: Well, I’m doing everything I can to make sure that we do. On this issue, I think that what is clear to me is whether someone is… I was just with one of the leaders, and I think opinion leaders in the Republican Party. Liz Cheney. She is, as she has stated publicly and has expressed her pride on stage yesterday. She is pro-life. And she also understands the pain and the tragedy that has happened since Donald Trump allowed Roe v. Wade to be overturned. So that’s my point about what is non-negotiable. It has to be that we agree that it is so fundamental that we allow women the ability with their doctor, if they choose, talking with their faith leader to be able to make these decisions and not have the government tell her what to do.
HALLIE JACKSON: On the question of your beliefs, what you believe in, let me ask you this question very broadly speaking here. Do you believe that transgender Americans should have access to gender-affirming care in this country?
KAMALA HARRIS: I believe we should follow the law. I mean, I think you’re probably pointing to the fact that Donald Trump’s campaign has spent tens of millions of dollars.
HALLIE JACKSON: They’re trying to define you on this. I’m asking you to define yourself, though. Just broadly speaking, what is your value? Do you believe they should have that access?
KAMALA HARRIS: I believe that people as the law states, even on this issue about federal law. That that is a decision that doctors will make in terms of what is medically necessary. I’m not going to put myself in the position of a doctor, but let’s also understand that Donald Trump is running tens of millions of dollars in ads to talk about two cases.
To distract from the fact that his policy and plan is also to take away the Affordable Care Act, which provides health care for tens of millions of people in our country. That his plan is to undo the $35 a month cap on insulin that impacts millions of seniors in our country. That his plan is to do away with the $2,000 cap on prescription medication, the annual cap. That his plan is to get rid of the Department of Education, which would mean getting rid of Head Start. That his plan is to give tax cuts to billionaires and big corporations and on the backs of middle class working people.
So, let’s not get distracted by the issues that, to your point, from the introductory point you raised, people want to know that their president has a plan to make their life better. And that includes addressing, bringing down the cost of living, it includes dealing with prescription medication costs, it includes addressing the housing crisis and affordable housing crisis in our country, it includes supporting our small businesses, investing in American industries, and strengthening our economy.
HALLIE JACKSON: I will move on, but I don’t know that I heard a clear answer from you on the issue of gender-affirming care. It sounds like what you’re saying is this should be something between trans Americans and their doctors. It feels like that’s a long way from “we see you and we love you,” which was your message to trans Americans in May. What do you want the LGBT community to know as they’re looking for a full-throated backing from you for trans Americans?
KAMALA HARRIS: I believe that all people should be treated with dignity and respect. Period. And should not be vilified for who they are. And should not be bullied for who they are. And that is a true statement for me my entire career. And that has not changed.
Election Integrity and Trump
HALLIE JACKSON: Part of the case that you’re making to undecided voters and to these late deciding voters is not just the case for you, for what you would do. It’s the case against former President Trump. And on that, we are sitting here two weeks away from election night. Last election, the former president came out on election night and declared victory before all the votes were counted. What is your plan if he does that again in two weeks?
KAMALA HARRIS: Well, let me say this. We’ve got two weeks to go. And I’m very much grounded in the present in terms of the task at hand. And we will deal with election night and the days after as they come. And we have the resources and the expertise and the focus on that as well.
HALLIE JACKSON: My team is ready to go. Is that what you’re saying? Are you thinking about that as a possibility?
KAMALA HARRIS: Of course. This is a person, Donald Trump, who tried to undo a free and fair election, who still denies the will of the people, who incited a violent mob to attack the United States Capitol and 140 law enforcement officers were attacked. Some were killed. This is a serious matter.
The American people are, at this point, two weeks out, being presented with a very, very serious decision about what will be the future of our country. And it includes whether we are a country that values a president who respects their duty to uphold the Constitution of the United States. Donald Trump has said he would terminate the Constitution of the United States.
The American people are being presented with a choice here about whether we want a president who understands that America must stand strong as a leader around the globe or an individual like Donald Trump who openly admires dictators. My goodness, recent reports that he gave COVID test to the president of Russia during the height of the pandemic here when Americans couldn’t get their hands on COVID tests. These are the choices before the American people right now.
The choice before the American people is the choice to choose to turn the page on the division and the hate and to bring our country together knowing the vast majority of us have so much more in common than what separates us and that we can be optimistic about a new generation of leadership that is focused on what we have yet to achieve to uplifting the American people.
Legal Matters and Administration
HALLIE JACKSON: If you win, it is entirely possible that the federal court cases against the former president will continue on. He is, of course, facing those felony charges. Would you consider, if you win and he’s convicted, a pardon for former President Trump?
KAMALA HARRIS: I’m not going to get into those hypotheticals. I’m focused on the next 14 days.
HALLIE JACKSON: Do you believe, is there any part of you that is attached to the argument that has been made in the past that a pardon could help bring America together, could help unify the country and move on?
KAMALA HARRIS: Let me tell you what’s going to help us move on. I get elected President of the United States.
HALLIE JACKSON: One of the things you’ve talked about is having a Republican in your cabinet, potentially. You’ve spent a lot of time on the campaign trail with former Congresswoman Liz Cheney, as you referenced. Is she somebody who would consider putting in the cabinet? Have you talked with her about this topic?
KAMALA HARRIS: I’ll keep you posted.
Immigration Policy
HALLIE JACKSON: On immigration, because this is another issue that’s really important to Americans here. Immigration is in Customs Enforcement, of course. Back in 2019, you stopped short of calling to abolish ICE, as some Democrats were doing at the time.
KAMALA HARRIS: I’ve never called for abolishing ICE.
HALLIE JACKSON: You stopped short of that, that’s right. You said you should critically re-examine it, and you considered starting from scratch. Would you consider, if you’re President, starting from scratch with ICE?
KAMALA HARRIS: Let me tell you what the Customs and Border Patrol agents what the immigration system needs. It needs to be fixed. And it needs to be fixed in a number of ways, that include bringing forth a bill that conservative members of Congress, along with others, pull together that we supported actively that would put 1,500 more border agents at the border, to give those folks who are working around the clock and need support the assistance they need to get their job done.
What we would do with that bill, if it were brought forward, is be able to continue to stem the flow of fentanyl coming into the United States, which is ravaging communities around our country. It would give us more resources to do what we need to do to prosecute transnational criminal organizations, something I have done. But what happened to that bill? Donald Trump got word of it and told his friends in Congress, kill the bill, don’t bring it forward, because Donald Trump would prefer to run on a problem instead of fixing a problem.
And again, in this election, there are two very different choices. One that is focused on solutions and the other that is focused on constant grievance and running on problems with no agenda for fixing them. And in fact, on this issue of immigration, he has been an obstacle to fixing this problem. My proposal includes strengthening what we must do to ensure that we have an orderly and humane immigration system and that we fix it. It has not broken for a long time. It has transcended administrations and it needs to be fixed.
Biden Administration and Leadership
HALLIE JACKSON: You have made it clear that you believe this is a binary choice between you and Donald Trump. Those are the candidates on the ballot. And I know that Joe Biden is not on the ballot. I understand that. But the reason that you are at the top of the ticket is because he dropped out of this race. And so I want to ask you, and it was largely because of that debate performance back in June. You defended him in the days before and in the days after as you were campaigning for another four years for President Biden. Can you say that you were honest with the American people about what you saw in those moments with President Biden as you were with him again and again, repeatedly in that time?
KAMALA HARRIS: Of course. Joe Biden is an extremely accomplished experienced and capable in every way that anyone would want if they’re president.
HALLIE JACKSON: Do you feel like what happened at the debate night behind closed doors with him?
KAMALA HARRIS: It was a bad debate. People have bad debates. He is absolutely…
HALLIE JACKSON: But that’s the reason why you’re here, and he’s not running for the top of the ticket.
KAMALA HARRIS: Well, you’d have to ask him if that’s the only reason why.
HALLIE JACKSON: What do you think?
KAMALA HARRIS: I am running for President of the United States. Joe Biden is not. And my presidency will be about bringing a new generation of leadership to America that is focused on the work that we need to do to invest in the ambitions and aspirations of the American people.
HALLIE JACKSON: It’s a judgment question. That’s why I ask. Can the American people trust you in these moments, even when it’s maybe uncomfortable for Americans to level with Americans in that way? So that’s why I ask. And it sounds like what you’re saying is you feel like you never saw anything like that from President Biden.
KAMALA HARRIS: I have worked with Joe Biden, hours and hours and hours over these four years, whether it be in the Situation Room or the Oval Office. Joe Biden is the one who was able to bring NATO together during a crisis where, for the first time in 70 years, Europe saw and has seen war. Joe Biden has done the work that has been about being a leader on what we have done to fix so much of what has been broken in terms of the economy because of Donald Trump’s mismanagement. I speak with not only sincerity, but with a real firsthand account of watching him do this work. I have no reluctance in saying that. No, of course I don’t.
HALLIE JACKSON: Madam Vice President, thank you for your time. I appreciate you being with us today.
