Republicans in Congress are cautious about utilizing diversity, equity, and inclusion themes to critique Vice President Harris, with some advising former President Trump to focus on “the issues.”
Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., stated that Trump’s route to success involves addressing the issues rather than becoming entangled in racial politics. His remarks followed Trump referencing Harris’ race during an event organized by the National Association of Black Journalists in Chicago.
“The campaign is, needs to be, must be about the issues, and there’s plenty to discuss. I truly believe that’s where the emphasis should lie. That’s our pathway to victory in November,” Thune told reporters in response to Trump’s statements.
During his address to the NABJ, Trump seemed to make light of Harris’ background, expressing uncertainty over whether she identified as Indian or Black.
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Congressional Republicans are cautious about using diversity, equity, and inclusion themes to critique Vice President Kamala Harris, with some advising former President Trump to focus on “the issues.” (David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
“I’ve known her for quite some time indirectly. Not very much directly,” Trump remarked. “She always identified with her Indian heritage. I wasn’t aware she was Black until several years ago when it became more prominent. Now she prefers to be recognized as Black.”
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“So I really don’t know, is she Indian, or is she Black?” he continued.
House Speaker Mike Johnson has urged Republican lawmakers not to go down the DEI route when attacking Harris. (REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein)
Additionally, House Speaker Mike Johnson has advised Republican lawmakers to avoid the DEI approach when criticizing Harris.
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“This election … will center on policies, not personal attacks. This isn’t personal towards Kamala Harris,” Johnson stated at a press briefing last week. “Her ethnicity and gender are irrelevant to this discussion.”
Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Trump
Sen. Raphael Warnock, D-Ga., quickly responded to Trump’s comments on Wednesday.
“I can tell you one thing: It’s not unexpected. This is the essence of Donald Trump. This is the politics of insult, revenge, and retribution, and I expect we’ll hear more of that until November,” he remarked.
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“Ultimately, I believe the American people will reject that. They understand what Kamala Harris represents,” he continued.
“Here’s a woman who is the daughter of a Jamaican father and an East-Asian immigrant mother. She attended Howard University and is married to a Jewish man,” Warnock highlighted. “Her life story personifies the American ideal, E Pluribus Unum, out of many, one. Donald Trump fails to grasp that.
