Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris has not yet presented a unified foreign policy vision, which has allowed her rival Trump-Vance campaign to target her record on issues such as the border, Afghanistan, and national security. Republicans have criticized Harris for not addressing national security threats and not offering real policy ideas to protect Americans. The RNC dedicated significant time to making America safe and strong again, contrasting with Harris and Biden’s approach, which they argue has made the country less safe.
The confusion around the Democratic platform release, which mentioned President Biden seeking a second term, has added to the perception that Harris lacks clarity on her policy plans. Despite this, during her nomination acceptance speech, Harris mentioned passing a border security bill killed by Republicans, leading space-based initiatives, and standing up to threats from Iran, China, and ISIS. She took aim at Trump’s foreign policy decisions and signaled that she would stand with Ukraine. However, critics have pointed to the disastrous Afghanistan withdrawal, among other foreign policy missteps, during the current administration.
Republicans have criticized Harris for refusing to speak to the press and failing to release detailed policy positions, leaving her vulnerable to attacks on her foreign policy plans. Harris has signaled a break with the Biden administration on issues such as re-entering the Iran nuclear deal, but has rolled out an economic plan and reiterated support for some administration policies. Despite claims that she played a key role in the Afghanistan withdrawal decision, some former military officials have suggested that her involvement was minimal, leaving questions about her actual level of influence on critical matters.
Harris has faced criticism and scrutiny over her role in addressing mass immigration on the southern border. Although she has emphasized her work prosecuting transnational criminal organizations, the Trump-Vance campaign has targeted her for failing to make a significant impact on the border crisis and the fentanyl trade. Harris and her campaign have defended her record, stating that she focused on addressing the root causes of migration and collaborating with countries in the region. Recent data from Customs and Border Protection shows a decrease in border encounters, but Republicans have criticized Democrats for not passing a border security bill earlier in the year.
Harris has also emphasized her support for Israel and push for a cease-fire deal in Gaza, demonstrating a commitment to promoting peace in the region. Despite ongoing criticism and attacks from the Trump-Vance campaign, Harris has reaffirmed her stance on key issues and pledged to bring back a border security bill that was blocked by Senate Republicans. The back-and-forth between parties over national security, foreign policy, and immigration highlights the contentious nature of these issues in the current political landscape leading up to the upcoming election.
