Vice President Kamala Harris speaks in Washington, DC on October 7th.
Nathan Howard/Reuters
Vice President Kamala Harris on Wednesday sought to counter rampant misinformation surrounding the federal response to Hurricanes Helen and Milton, as federal aid from former President Donald Trump and his allies dried up. He said in an interview with CNN that comments suggesting this were “unconscionable” and could be helpful. This is to discourage those in the path of the storm from seeking desperately needed assistance.
“That’s dangerous. Frankly, it’s unconscionable that someone who considers himself a leader would mislead desperate people so that desperate people don’t get the help they deserve. That’s why I… We call it dangerous,” Harris told CNN’s Dana Bash on Wednesday. “And we all know that’s dangerous. Particularly in moments of crisis, the gamesmanship and politics have to stop at some point, too.”
Harris also thanked some local lawmakers who are working to quell misinformation surrounding Hurricanes Helen and Milton, while also pointing out that foreign intervention was the mistaken cause of the deluge. He said there was no sign that this was the case.
Harris told Bash that local leaders are “doing an extraordinary job to combat misinformation.” I’m talking about the sheriff, I’m talking about the mayor, I’m talking about local officials – I don’t even know their party affiliation. ”
Asked if he had seen any indication that the rumors were coming from a foreign source, as some officials, including Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, have suggested, Harris said: replied, “I haven’t seen it.”
“No, it’s not,” Harris said. But she added that misinformation, no matter the source, “hurts the American people.” And it has to stop. ”
Harris said people evacuating from the storm “the last thing they need is their so-called leaders scaring them even more than they already are.”
More context: Since becoming the party’s top presidential candidate in July, Harris has taken an increasingly prominent role in the administration’s response efforts after both hurricanes, and has personally traveled to the region to examine recovery efforts. , and even ended the election campaign Act early and attend the information session.
Harris also participated in an administration briefing early Wednesday morning ahead of the Milton Island landing, asking questions of federal officials while participating virtually from New York, where she was visiting for media interviews.
