In a resurfaced 2019 interview, Vice President Kamala Harris revealed her support for decriminalizing all drugs and funding gender transition surgeries for transgender inmates, policies that have drawn criticism from opponents.
Former President Donald Trump's recent claim that Vice President Kamala Harris supports taxpayer-funded gender surgeries for illegal immigrants has sparked controversy, causing many to question Harris' stance on various issues. A recently resurfaced interview from 2019 sheds light on some of Harris' far-left policy positions that she held while running for president.
As a candidate for the 2020 presidential election, Harris expressed support for decriminalizing all drugs. In an interview with the National Center for Transgender Equality (NCTE) Action Fund, Harris stated that she believes the war on drugs has been a "failure."
Kamala Harris' Surprising Policy Positions: Decriminalizing Drugs and Funding Gender Surgeries for Transgender Inmates
"I think it's time to decriminalize marijuana and all drug use, and we should treat drug addiction as a public health issue, not a criminal issue," Harris said.
Harris' position aligns with the growing movement to reform drug laws in the United States, which has seen several states legalize marijuana and move away from harsh penalties for drug possession. However, her support for decriminalizing all drugs remains a controversial stance that has drawn criticism from law enforcement and conservative politicians.
Kamala Harris' Surprising Policy Positions: Decriminalizing Drugs and Funding Gender Surgeries for Transgender Inmates
Harris also revealed her support for taxpayer-funded gender transition surgeries for transgender inmates in the 2019 interview. She said that while serving as California Attorney General, she worked to change state policy to allow transgender inmates to receive the surgeries.
"I worked behind-the-scenes to not only make sure that that transgender woman got the services she was deserving - it was not only about that case - I made sure that they changed the policy in the state of California so that every transgender inmate in the prison system would have access to the medical care that they desire and need," Harris said.
Kamala Harris' Surprising Policy Positions: Decriminalizing Drugs and Funding Gender Surgeries for Transgender Inmates
Harris' position has been met with mixed reactions, with some praising her support for transgender rights and others expressing concerns about the use of taxpayer funds for such surgeries.
In addition to her stance on drug decriminalization and gender transition surgeries, Harris also discussed her work to train prosecutors on defeating the "trans panic defense" and her efforts to establish California's first taxpayer-funded victims assistance program for transgender individuals.
Kamala Harris' Surprising Policy Positions: Decriminalizing Drugs and Funding Gender Surgeries for Transgender Inmates
Harris emphasized her commitment to advancing transgender rights, stating that she used her power as California Attorney General to push forward the movement.
In response to Trump's recent claims, Harris' campaign has stated that her current positions are shaped by her experience in the Biden-Harris Administration. However, the campaign has not explicitly stated whether she still supports decriminalizing all drugs or funding gender transition surgeries for transgender inmates.
Kamala Harris' Surprising Policy Positions: Decriminalizing Drugs and Funding Gender Surgeries for Transgender Inmates
Harris' policy positions continue to be a subject of debate, with supporters highlighting her commitment to social justice and opponents criticizing her far-left views. As Vice President, Harris' influence on policy will continue to be closely scrutinized.
