Critics of potential presidential nominee Kamala Harris are seizing on her past policies to undermine her candidacy, accusing her of being soft on crime and flip-flopping on key issues.
As Kamala Harris' political star rises within the Democratic Party, critics are delving into her past as San Francisco District Attorney and California Attorney General, uncovering a history that they believe could haunt her presidential aspirations.
Experts assert that Harris' backing of California's Proposition 47, a 2014 law that reclassified some felonies as misdemeanors, could prove detrimental to her image as a tough-on-crime candidate. Dubbed the "Safe Neighborhoods and Schools Act," the legislation was intended to reduce mass incarceration but has been blamed for unleashing rampant crime across the state.
The Dark Side of Kamala Harris: Past Policies Haunt Presidential Ambitions
Nicole Castronovo, a Los Angeles-based criminal defense lawyer, condemned the law as a "political Trojan Horse" that has eroded community safety. "It really does affect your daily life," she lamented. "We’re paying so much money to live in LA where crime is just out of control."
Harris' endorsement of controversial Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón has also drawn criticism. Critics contend that Gascón's reign has ushered in spiraling disorder, a sentiment reflected in multiple recall campaigns that have fizzled out.
The Dark Side of Kamala Harris: Past Policies Haunt Presidential Ambitions
Prior to becoming California Attorney General, Harris served as San Francisco's District Attorney from 2004 to 2011. During that period, she adopted a more aggressive prosecutorial approach, seeking higher bail for defendants charged with gun offenses and pursuing charges against parents of chronically truant students.
Neama Rahmani, a former federal prosecutor turned defense attorney, characterized Harris' stance as "tough and fair." However, she later distanced herself from these views amid the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement and the shifting political landscape.
The Dark Side of Kamala Harris: Past Policies Haunt Presidential Ambitions
Some progressives have criticized Harris for prosecuting over 1,900 marijuana cases during her reign as DA, a stance that contradicts her current opposition to the death penalty. Critics argue that Harris' wavering positions on key issues could undermine her credibility as a potential president.
Rahmani anticipates that Harris will likely modify her tone and policies once again in the face of a potential showdown with former President Donald Trump, who is known for his tough-on-crime stance. "Now she’s running in a general election against someone who is tough on crime, I would expect her to shift back to her less progressive, more conservative prosecution roots," Rahmani predicted.
The Dark Side of Kamala Harris: Past Policies Haunt Presidential Ambitions
The resurfacing of Harris' past policies serves as a stark reminder of the challenges she faces as she seeks the Democratic nomination for president. Her opponents will undoubtedly capitalize on these vulnerabilities to discredit her candidacy and paint her as a political chameleon who lacks unwavering principles.
