Since the start of her campaign, Vice President Kamala Harris has faced scrutiny over her criminal justice reform record in the United States. In a recent town hall-style interview with radio host Charlamagne tha God, Harris addressed criticisms and aimed to strengthen support among the Black community. Despite the majority of Black voters identifying with the Democratic Party, recent polls show a decrease in support for Harris compared to 2020. Harris defended herself against accusations of being too scripted and took the opportunity to set the record straight about her candidacy. As a former prosecutor, Harris has been criticized from both progressives and conservatives for her approach to criminal justice, with some accusing her of being too harsh and others of being too lenient. In response to allegations of targeting and locking up Black men for marijuana offenses, Harris denied the claims and highlighted her efforts to lower penalties for marijuana possession. She pledged to decriminalize marijuana at the federal level if elected president, acknowledging the disproportionate impact on Black men. Harris also criticized her Republican opponent, Donald Trump, for his support of policies like “stop and frisk,” which she argued would harm the Black community. Overall, Harris used the interview to defend her record, address criticisms, and make her case to Black voters.
