Donald Trump criticized Kamala Harris for a criminal justice policy from her time as California Attorney General, claiming thefts under $950 are not charged as crimes, attributing this to Harris. This claim stems from Proposition 47, passed in 2014, which reduced penalties for thefts under $950 to misdemeanors.
While Harris wasn’t involved in the campaign for Prop 47, she stayed neutral on many criminal justice debates as attorney general.
Trump stated, “I didn’t know this, but you’re allowed to rob a store as long as it’s not more than $950,” and elaborated on the policy’s perceived absurdity. Harris argued that her role as attorney general made it inappropriate to take a position on ballot measures. She faced both praise for her neutrality and criticism from those pushing for more active stances on key issues.
Impact and Controversies of Harris’s Policies
Harris’ policies as San Francisco district attorney included stringent measures like increased felony and gun crime convictions and the Back on Track program for nonviolent offenders. Her truancy policy, which prosecuted parents of habitually absent children, controversially impacting Black families disproportionally. Proposition 47, during her tenure, led to reduced prison populations but increased retail theft and violent crime.
Furthermore, Harris supported a policy requiring law enforcement to notify ICE if an undocumented juvenile immigrant was arrested for a felony. She also launched initiatives for anti-bias training, body cameras for state officers, and an open data initiative on law enforcement activities. Harris faced criticism for not prosecuting police officers for excessive force and sparingly using laws to investigate local cops.
“I took on perpetrators of all kinds, predators who abused women, fraudsters who ripped off consumers, cheaters who broke the rules for their own game,” Harris said at a rally in Wisconsin. “So hear me when I say I know Donald Trump’s type.” – Source
Balancing Progressive Reforms and Tough Prosecution
Kamala Harris’s tenure as California’s attorney general presents a complex picture of balancing social progressivism with prosecutorial duties. She faced challenges reconciling her tough-on-crime image with support for progressive reforms. During her presidential campaign, Harris proposed a federal sentencing review unit for the early release of long-term prisoners. Over 160 criminal justice advocacy groups urged her not to use stigmatizing language like “criminal” or “felon.”
“First, we believe you have been and will be a criminal justice reform leader,” the groups wrote. “And, also, words like ‘criminal’ and ‘felon’ paint with a broad brush that stains more than 70 million Americans with criminal records, including the 1 in 3 Black men who have felony convictions.” – Source
Her missteps on immigration also invited further scrutiny. An infamous speech in Guatemala saw her telling potential migrants, “Do not come.” Criticism during the 2020 presidential campaign revolved around her prosecutorial record, especially her handling of school truancy cases. Organizations like America First Legal have launched multiple investigations into her background, alleging radical progressivism and non-compliance with federal laws.
Ongoing Debate and Political Maneuvering
The ongoing criticism of Kamala Harris by political opponents reignites debates about her past policy decisions as California Attorney General and their long-term impacts. As discussions on criminal justice reform continue to evolve, Harris’s record remains a focal point. Balancing her prosecutorial past with her present role and the demands for progressive policy reforms puts her in a challenging position, drawing scrutiny from all sides.
“There will be those that simplify a match-up between you and former President Trump as one between a ‘tough-on-crime’ prosecutor and a ‘criminal,’” cautioned reform advocates in their letter to Harris, emphasizing the need for careful language and balance to navigate the complex political landscape. – Source
Sources
- Was Kamala Harris a Progressive Prosecutor? A Look at Her Time as a DA & California Attorney General
