Doug Emhoff, the husband of Vice President Kamala Harris, came to her defense in a recent interview, arguing that it is unfair to criticize her for the failures of the Biden-Harris administration. During the interview, Emhoff asserted that since Kamala Harris is not the president, the blame for the administration’s missteps should not rest on her shoulders, despite her prominent role in several key areas over the past three and a half years.
Emhoff’s comments came during an appearance on ABC News’ Good Morning America, where he sat down for what many critics have called a “softball” interview. The interview took place just days after the network’s highly publicized debate between Vice President Harris and former President Donald Trump, which many right-leaning observers claimed was heavily biased against the Republican candidate.
Co-anchor Michael Strahan, known for his affable interview style, asked Emhoff whether he believed it was fair for people to hold Harris accountable for the administration’s numerous perceived failures. Strahan pointed to specific instances where Harris has been criticized, including her appointment as the administration’s “border czar,” her involvement in the chaotic Afghanistan withdrawal, and her tie-breaking vote on the controversial American Rescue Plan, which many argue contributed to the ongoing inflation crisis.
Emhoff, in response, emphasized that Harris has only served as vice president, not president, and that her role is to support, not lead, the administration. “She’s the vice president, not the president. The vice president is there as part of the administration, not leading the administration,” Emhoff claimed. “So, as president, she’s going to be able to put forth her policies, her vision, and effectuate those plans on her own terms.”
Despite Emhoff’s efforts to defend his wife, his remarks were met with immediate backlash, particularly from the Trump campaign. Just hours after the interview aired, the Trump campaign posted a scathing response on X (formerly known as Twitter). “Second Gentleperson ‘Doug’: Kamala bears no responsibility for the Biden-Harris failures because she’s only the second most powerful person in the country, not the first,” the campaign quipped, in a clear dig at Emhoff’s defense of his wife.
The Trump campaign’s criticism didn’t stop there. “Joe Biden himself has admitted that Kamala plays an enormous role in his failed administration,” the campaign continued. “Kamala brags about being ‘the last person in the room’ on the disastrous Afghanistan withdrawal decision. She absolutely owns every failure of the Biden-Harris administration.”
Kamala Harris’ Role in the Biden Administration Under Scrutiny
The criticism of Vice President Harris has been mounting for some time, and many believe that she has not fulfilled the expectations set for her at the beginning of the Biden presidency. Harris was handed several critical portfolios early in the administration, including addressing the root causes of migration at the southern border, managing the voting rights push, and playing a significant role in the administration’s response to inflation and the economic downturn.
One of the most glaring failures critics often highlight is Harris’ role as “border czar.” In March 2021, President Biden tasked her with leading efforts to address the root causes of migration from Central America, with the goal of curbing illegal immigration at the U.S.-Mexico border. However, despite her high-profile assignment, the crisis at the southern border has only worsened, with record numbers of illegal border crossings reported in recent years.
Harris has also come under fire for her involvement in the disastrous U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021. During the evacuation, chaos erupted as thousands of Afghans and U.S. citizens struggled to leave the country, resulting in the deaths of 13 U.S. service members in a terrorist attack at the Kabul airport. Harris had reportedly been “the last person in the room” when President Biden made the final decision to proceed with the withdrawal. Critics argue that this proximity to the decision-making process makes Harris directly responsible for the debacle.
Additionally, Harris’ tie-breaking vote in the Senate on the American Rescue Plan—a $1.9 trillion economic stimulus package designed to provide relief during the COVID-19 pandemic—has been widely criticized for contributing to the country’s inflation crisis. Economists on both sides of the political aisle have pointed to the massive federal spending involved in the plan as one of the key drivers of rising inflation, which has since burdened American households with higher costs for food, housing, and other essentials.
Emhoff’s Defense: Kamala Harris as a Future Leader
Despite these controversies, Emhoff’s defense of his wife highlighted what he believes are her potential strengths as a future leader. He suggested that, as president, Harris would be able to fully implement her own vision and policies, distinguishing herself from the shadow of President Biden.
Emhoff argued that much of the criticism directed at Harris has been unfairly amplified by political opponents and that as vice president, her role has been more supportive than directive. “People seem to forget that the vice president doesn’t make all the decisions. She works alongside the president, and ultimately, those big decisions come down to him,” Emhoff said.
He added that Harris’ record as a senator and her work on issues such as criminal justice reform and women’s rights show her capability as a leader. Emhoff insisted that Harris is prepared to take on greater responsibility, should she become president in the future. “When she’s in the Oval Office, she’ll have the opportunity to enact the changes she’s passionate about,” he said, stressing that Harris’ priorities will focus on equity, justice, and building a stronger economy.
The Political Stakes
As the 2024 presidential race heats up, Emhoff’s defense of Harris is seen by many as part of a broader effort to reshape public perception of the vice president, who has struggled with low approval ratings. With many Democrats still uncertain about President Biden’s ability to run for re-election due to his age, speculation continues to swirl around the possibility of Harris stepping into the role of the party’s standard-bearer.
While Emhoff may have sought to deflect criticism of Harris’ record, the reality remains that the vice president’s performance over the last three years is likely to be scrutinized heavily in the months ahead. Should she make a bid for the presidency, Harris will need to demonstrate that she can take accountability for both her successes and failures, and that she has a clear vision for the future of the country.
For now, the debate over Kamala Harris’ legacy as vice president—and her potential as a future president—continues to dominate the political discourse. As the Trump campaign and other critics remain vigilant, Emhoff’s defense is unlikely to be the final word on the matter.