In an interview aired on ABC News on Sunday, Vice President Kamala Harris carefully avoided specifics on how the Biden administration would react if Israel launched an invasion of Rafah in southern Gaza, if Congress continued to reject border-security legislation, and if TikTok’s Chinese parent company refused to sell the service.
Ms. Harris restated the administration’s stance that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should not authorize an invasion of Rafah, where over a million people are seeking shelter from Israel’s attacks. She emphasized the lack of alternatives for the population in Rafah and the potential consequences of a military operation there.
When asked about potential repercussions if Israel proceeded with an invasion despite US advice, Ms. Harris did not provide a direct answer. She acknowledged that Mr. Netanyahu had not shown a willingness to heed US recommendations.
Regarding TikTok, Ms. Harris clarified that the administration did not seek a ban on the service but had concerns about national security due to its Chinese owner, ByteDance. She highlighted the importance of TikTok in terms of generating income and facilitating open discourse.
While discussing immigration, Ms. Harris criticized Senate Republicans for backing away from a bipartisan border-security deal under pressure from former President Donald J. Trump. She emphasized the need to address the broken immigration system.
When asked about potential executive action on immigration, Ms. Harris stated that it was a consideration but emphasized the importance of Congress taking action to address the issue.
