Kamala Harris: Democrats Stand for Workers as Shutdown Deepens/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ In an exclusive AP interview, Kamala Harris called on Democrats to stay united and resist GOP pressure during the ongoing government shutdown. She emphasized protecting working families and criticized Republican leadership for pushing tax cuts for the wealthy. Harris, promoting her memoir, also hinted at a possible 2028 presidential run.
Kamala Harris on Shutdown, 2028 Hopes: Quick Looks
- Harris blames Trump and GOP for prolonged government shutdown.
- Urges Democrats to resist GOP tax cuts favoring the wealthy.
- Advocates stronger economic messaging aimed at working families.
- Says inflation—not culture wars—cost Democrats in 2024.
- Touts child tax credits and homebuyer relief over infrastructure.
- Criticizes disinformation and urges voter engagement across the spectrum.
- Warns of rollback in civil rights and Voting Rights Act threats.
- Confirms campaign support for 2026 midterms and state ballot issues.
- Hints a 2028 presidential run remains a possibility.
- Calls for national voting age to be lowered to 16.
Kamala Harris Defends Democrats in Shutdown Battle: Deep Look
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Former Vice President Kamala Harris is urging Democrats to stand firm amid a deepening government shutdown, using her nationwide book tour as a platform to galvanize party support, critique Republican leadership, and signal her continued relevance on the national stage.
In an exclusive interview with the Associated Press on Friday, Harris made her position clear: Democrats are standing up for America’s working people while Republicans, who control the House, Senate, and White House, are to blame for the ongoing standoff in Washington.
“The Republicans control the House. They control the Senate. They control the White House. They are in charge, and they are responsible for the shutdown,” Harris said.
Harris, the Democratic nominee in the 2024 presidential election, is traveling the country promoting her new memoir, 107 Days, while drawing connections between current events and her broader message. She is especially focused on defending the Affordable Care Act, highlighting GOP resistance to funding that would prevent health insurance premium spikes.
“Democrats are doing the right thing by standing up for working people and not allowing Republicans to carry a tax cut for the wealthiest people in our country on the backs of working people in America,” Harris stated.
Throughout her visit to Birmingham, Harris appeared energized and intentional. She met with Black college students, participated in public discussions, and appeared on stage with radio host Charlamagne tha God to discuss Democratic strategy, civil rights, and the economic future of the country.
Her message to disappointed supporters: keep going. “We’ve got work to do,” she told a crowd of ticket-holders, adding that she sees herself as a party leader despite her 2024 loss.
“I am a leader of the party,” she told the AP. “That includes traveling the country, talking — and mostly listening — with folks and getting people ready to fight in the 2026 midterms.”
Though Harris says she hasn’t made a decision about a 2028 run, her actions suggest a continued political trajectory. Her upcoming schedule includes support for gubernatorial candidates Mikie Sherrill in New Jersey and Abigail Spanberger in Virginia, as well as advocacy for California’s Proposition 50, a redistricting measure meant to counter Republican gerrymandering in other states.
On the economy, Harris offered candid reflections. She said her party must better address inflation and everyday financial concerns.
“There are a fair number of people who voted for Donald Trump because they believed what he said, which is that he was going to bring down prices,” she said. “Sadly, he lied to them.”
While praising the Biden administration’s achievements — including the CHIPS Act and infrastructure spending — Harris emphasized that child tax credits, paid family leave, and homebuyer assistance should have come first to better meet voters’ daily needs.
She also warned of deeper structural challenges — especially around disinformation and voter suppression. Rejecting the idea of “low-information voters,” Harris said misinformation has created echo chambers that Democrats must actively disrupt.
“They deserve to be heard,” she said of voters across the political spectrum.
On civil rights, Harris struck a deeply personal tone. With the Supreme Court possibly eliminating Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, she warned that Black and minority representation in the South could be severely undermined.
“How can we say at this moment in time that the Voting Rights Act and Section 2 has no purpose?” she asked, speaking just miles from where Martin Luther King Jr. led civil rights marches 60 years ago.
Harris also addressed concerns about white nationalist rhetoric, referencing recent statements from Trump allies like Stephen Miller.
“Just looking at it in terms of their words, they’re race baiting, they’re scapegoating,” she said. While she didn’t go as far as labeling the administration white nationalist, she added, “I can’t pretend to know what is in their head.”
When asked about her relationship with President Biden, Harris said they remain in touch.
“He and I have been playing phone tag actually in the last couple of days,” she said, referencing his ongoing prostate cancer treatment. “I’d invite everyone to say a prayer for his well-being and health right now.”
Harris also reiterated her support for expanding civic engagement, including lowering the voting age to 16 — a proposal she believes would energize younger generations and reinforce democratic values.
As the shutdown enters yet another week, Harris appears poised to serve as both a spokesperson for the Democratic base and a potential candidate in 2028, balancing critique with strategy and frustration with optimism.
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