by Daveda Gruber:
A likely 2020 presidential candidate Sen. Kamala Harris, made eyes roll when she compared U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to the Ku Klux Klan.
The California Democrat made some rather infuriating statements during a hearing on Capitol Hill.
Harris asked President Trump’s nominee to lead ICE, Ronald Vitiello, whether he shares what she said was the public’s view of ICE. She implied that the public’s opinion was that ICE was spreading fear and mistrust, particularly among immigrant communities, the same way the KKK did.
Harris asked, “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 [with the KKK]?”
She also asked, “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 [with the KKK]?”
Needless to say, this comparison did not sit well with RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel.
McDaniel spoke out by tweeting this:
Kamala Harris is trying to launch her 2020 campaign off of comparing ICE officers to the KKK, and it’s absolutely disgusting. pic.twitter.com/l6DrpbbQ2k
— Ronna McDaniel (@GOPChairwoman) November 15, 2018
GOP spokeswoman Kayleigh McEnany tweeted:
This is appalling. 2020 hopeful Kamala Harris just compared ICE to the KKK!
What utter, complete & horrifying disrespect for our law enforcement officers. I get she’s auditioning for 2020, but come on… https://t.co/JbHmG55cX1
— Kayleigh McEnany (@kayleighmcenany) November 15, 2018
Geraldo Rivera tweeted out this:
Like lazy trolls who call cops Nazis, it is grossly irresponsible to compare anything other than violent racist terrorists to the #KKK. @KamalaHarris is way too savvy to be so intellectually lazy. She should apologize to #ICE agents now.
— Geraldo Rivera (@GeraldoRivera) November 16, 2018
Harris then referred to Vitiello’s controversial tweet from 2015. In it he said the Democratic Party was comparable to a “liberal-cratic” or “neo-Klanist” entity.
Vitiello apologized and admitted that those words were offensive.
Harris then asked, “What is the history that would then make those words wrong?”
This prompted Vitiello to say that the KKK would be labeled as a domestic terrorist group by today’s standards and was motivated by race and ethnicity.
Vitiello did not appear to be happy with Harris’ line of questioning. He said, “I do not see any parallels” between the immigration enforcement agency and the white supremacist group and wanted to know whether she was asking him if the two were in the same category.
Harris replied, “No, I’m very specific in what I’m asking you. Are you aware of a perception that the way that they …”
Harris would have kept on the subject but the nominee reacted by saying, “I see none.”
Harris was not giving up. She asked, “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’ questioning ended with her asking whether Vitiello can lead the agency if he’s not aware of the negative views toward it.
Harris said, “It seems to me that you would understand that when you use words like the words you used just three short years ago, that that would contribute to that perception. And it’s harmful then, it’s harmful, in terms of the mission of the agency and the work of the individuals there. And it is harmful in terms of leading — innocent people arriving at our border fleeing harm, it is harmful to them.”
Harris has been rumored to be considering a run for Democratic Party’s 2020 presidential nomination.
She recently visited Iowa, one of the first primary states, and swing states such as Ohio.
The woman is going to run for president. She is building her national image before the election.
I thought Hillary Clinton was bad enough. Now we have more lunatics going after the highest office in the land.
What say you? I’d love to see you comment below.
