Despite initially referring to Vice President Kamala Harris as the "border czar," multiple media outlets have recently downplayed her role in addressing the border crisis. This sudden reversal raises questions about the industry's willingness to hold politicians accountable for their responsibilities.
Vice President Kamala Harris' role at the US-Mexico border has become a subject of intense scrutiny, with a recent flurry of media articles seeking to distance her from the "border czar" moniker. This sudden shift in tone has raised eyebrows, given that many of these outlets had previously used the same term to describe Harris' responsibilities.
In the early days of the Biden administration, Harris was tasked with addressing the root causes of mass migration from Central and South America. This mandate was widely seen as a significant responsibility, and multiple outlets referred to her as the "border czar." However, as Harris' presidential ambitions have become more apparent, some media outlets have taken issue with this characterization.
KAMALA HARRIS' ROLE AT THE BORDER: A Media Whitewash
Axios, in particular, has come under fire for its recent piece on Harris' border role. In the article, reporter Stef Kight distances Harris from the "border czar" title, despite the fact that Axios had previously reported that she had been "appointed by Biden as border czar."
"The Trump campaign and Republicans have tagged Harris repeatedly with the ‘border czar’ title — which she never actually had," Kight wrote.
KAMALA HARRIS' ROLE AT THE BORDER: A Media Whitewash
Critics were swift to point out that Axios had reported in 2021 that Harris was "appointed by Biden as border czar." Another 2021 Axios report, by Kight herself, was headlined, "Biden puts Harris in charge of border crisis."
Time magazine also published a piece downplaying Harris' role at the border. The article, headlined "Kamala Harris Was Never Biden’s ‘Border Czar.’ Here’s What She Really Did," claims that Harris was never "put in charge of the border or immigration policy" and was not involved in "overseeing law-enforcement efforts or guiding the federal response to the crisis."
KAMALA HARRIS' ROLE AT THE BORDER: A Media Whitewash
However, Time's account contradicts its own previous reporting. In a 2021 article, Time reported that Harris was "assigned to lead the administration's diplomatic efforts to address the root causes of migration from Central America."
USA Today also published a "fact check" claiming that Harris was never in charge of the border. The article cites experts who say that managing the border was under the domain of the Department of Homeland Security.
While it is true that Harris did not have direct operational control over the border, her role in addressing the root causes of migration was significant. By downplaying this role, media outlets are effectively whitewashing Harris' involvement in the border crisis.
The sudden shift in media tone on this issue raises questions about the industry's willingness to hold politicians accountable for their responsibilities. Harris was clearly given a significant role in addressing the border crisis, and it is disingenuous for media outlets to now pretend otherwise.
This media whitewash is a disservice to the American public, as it prevents them from having a clear understanding of the roles that politicians play in shaping policy. It is essential that journalists maintain their objectivity and accuracy, even when it comes to scrutinizing powerful figures like Vice President Kamala Harris.
