A senator from California and a former prosecutor, Ms. Harris has a track record in breaking new ground. Now, she is the first woman, first Black person, and first person of Asian descent elected to the country’s second-highest office.
A senator from California and a former prosecutor, Ms. Harris has a track record in breaking new ground. Now, she is the first woman, first Black person, and first person of Asian descent elected to the country’s second-highest office.
new video loaded:Kamala Harris’s History of Firsts
transcript
Kamala Harris’s History of Firsts
A senator from California and a former prosecutor, Ms. Harris has a track record in breaking new ground. Now, she is the first woman, first Black person, and first person of Asian descent elected to the country’s second-highest office.
A barrier-breaking prosecutor with a love for grilling — “Question, I will repeat —” — and music — ♫ “One nation under a groove —” ♫ California Senator Kamala Harris is making history as the first woman, and first woman of color, elected vice president. “Let’s talk about who is prepared to lead our country over the course of the next four years.” She ran for president, going head-to-head with Biden over school busing. “You know, there was a little girl in California who was part of the second class to integrate her public schools, and she was bused to school every day. And that little girl was me.” But she later endorsed him, and he picked her as his running mate. And soon they will be entering the White House together. “I am incredibly honored by this responsibility, and I am ready to get to work.” Haris has a track record of being the first. “You may be the first to do many things, but make sure you’re not the last.” She was the first black person and first woman to become district attorney of San Francisco, and later attorney general of California. “I decided to become a prosecutor because I believed that there were vulnerable and voiceless people who deserved to have a voice in that system.” And in 2016, she was elected the first Black senator from California. And now she will be the first woman, first Black person and first person of Asian descent elected to the country’s second-highest office. So what is she known for in Washington? “So my question to you —” As a senator, Harris served on four committees, and was perhaps best known for her tough questions. “It makes me nervous.” “Is that a no?” “Is that a yes?” “Can I get to respond please, ma’am?” “No, sir. No, no.” And some of her policy priorities? Criminal justice reform and racial justice legislation. “Racial justice is on the ballot in 2020.” After George Floyd’s killing in police custody, Harris became an outspoken voice in the national debate on police brutality. “We should have things like a national standard for excessive use of force.” And on the campaign trail, she doubled down on that message, making a concerted effort to reach voters of color. “People have been asking, ‘Why should I vote?’ One: Honor the ancestors. Honor people like the late, great John Lewis, who shed his blood on the Edmund Pettus Bridge so we could vote.” But she’s faced criticism from progressive activists over her record as a prosecutor, including her push for higher cash bails for certain crimes, and for refusing to support independent investigations for police shootings as recently as 2014. So what does she bring to the White House? “This is our house!” She is policy-oriented and pragmatic. Proponents say that her experience in law enforcement will help her face the unique challenges of the moment and that her lack of ideological rigidity makes her well suited for the vice presidency. “We can overcome these challenges.” Harris embodies the future of a country that is growing more racially diverse. As one of the best-known Black women in American politics, Harris now finds herself the most clearly positioned heir to the White House, with the oldest incoming president in history.
Kamala Harris’s History of Firsts
A senator from California and a former prosecutor, Ms. Harris has a track record in breaking new ground. Now, she is the first woman, first Black person, and first person of Asian descent elected to the country’s second-highest office.
2020 Elections
Recent Episodes
Biden Speaks to Black Voters in South Carolina
Fulton County D.A. Indicts Trump and 18 Others
Rusty Bowers Recalls Harassment After Rejecting 2020 Fraud Claims
Pence Rejects Trump’s Claim That He Could Overturn the Election
Biden Campaigns for Newsom in California
‘Telling the Truth Shouldn’t Be Hard’: Officers Testify About Jan. 6 Riot
Pence Says He May Never See Trump ‘Eye to Eye’ on Capitol Riot
Family of Fallen Officer Urges Senators to Back Jan. 6 Investigation
Arizona Republican Leaders Criticize Election Audit
‘We’ve Lost the Line!’: Radio Traffic Reveals Police Under Siege at Capitol
CPAC Crowd Cheers Josh Hawley’s Vote Against Election Results
Donald Trump ‘Lit the Flame,’ Rep. Castro Says
Trump’s Lawyers Were ‘Disorganized,’ Senator Cassidy Says
Highlights From Day 1 of Trump Impeachment Trial
Trump Lawyer Unsuccessfully Disputes Constitutionality of Impeachment
‘This Cannot Be the Future of America,’ Raskin Says
Buttigieg Is Sworn In as Transportation Secretary
Kamala Harris Celebrated In India
Biden Swears In Appointees in Virtual Ceremony
Kamala Harris Swears In New Democratic Senators
The Poet Amanda Gorman Says America Can Be the ‘Light’ It Needs
‘Democracy Has Prevailed’: Biden Calls for National Unity
Jennifer Lopez Sings at Biden Inauguration
The Trumps Arrive in Florida
1:53
Biden Speaks to Black Voters in South Carolina
1:21
Fulton County D.A. Indicts Trump and 18 Others
2:19
Rusty Bowers Recalls Harassment After Rejecting 2020 Fraud Claims
0:40
Pence Rejects Trump’s Claim That He Could Overturn the Election
1:06
Biden Campaigns for Newsom in California
2:52
‘Telling the Truth Shouldn’t Be Hard’: Officers Testify About Jan. 6 Riot
1:06
Pence Says He May Never See Trump ‘Eye to Eye’ on Capitol Riot
1:06
Family of Fallen Officer Urges Senators to Back Jan. 6 Investigation
1:32
Arizona Republican Leaders Criticize Election Audit
8:54
‘We’ve Lost the Line!’: Radio Traffic Reveals Police Under Siege at Capitol
0:45
CPAC Crowd Cheers Josh Hawley’s Vote Against Election Results
1:19
Donald Trump ‘Lit the Flame,’ Rep. Castro Says