Harris defends prosecutorial record, pledges Marijuana reform in Charlemagne interview

In a town hall interview with radio host Charlamagne tha God, US Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris defended her record as a prosecutor and vowed to decriminalize marijuana if elected.

The conversation, held on Tuesday, aimed to solidify her support among Black men, a key demographic where Harris has struggled to gain the same level of backing that President Joe Biden secured in 2020.

Charlamagne, known for his straightforward interviews, did not shy away from addressing criticisms of Harris’ past as San Francisco’s district attorney and California's attorney general.

He asked about the persistent claim that she disproportionately prosecuted Black men for marijuana offenses.

"It's simply not true," Harris replied, asserting that she was considered “one of the most progressive prosecutors” regarding marijuana cases.

She highlighted the broader context, explaining that her campaign’s criminal justice platform includes a pledge to decriminalize marijuana nationwide.

Harris pointed to the fact that current drug laws have disproportionately harmed Black men, citing how these laws contribute to racial disparities in the US prison system.

Harris also addressed police reform during the interview, reaffirming her commitment to passing the George Floyd Policing Act, which aims to curb police brutality and reform law enforcement practices.

The legislation, initially proposed in 2020, stalled in Congress. When Charlamagne expressed skepticism about its chances of passing through a divided legislature, Harris remained optimistic, stating that she would focus on electing officials who support these reforms.

However, Harris avoided directly commenting on whether former President Donald Trump should have been imprisoned for his role in the January 6 Capitol riot.

Instead, she stressed the importance of focusing on the election, characterizing Trump as “weak” and “unfit” to lead.

One of the challenges Harris highlighted was the spread of misinformation, which she said has been used to undermine her reputation and misrepresent her track record.

During the interview, she also outlined a series of economic proposals designed to benefit Black men, including forgivable small business loans and greater access to the legal recreational marijuana industry.

Recent polls have shown Harris struggling to maintain support from Black men, a critical demographic. In 2020, Biden secured around 80% of the Black male vote, but only about 69% of Black men currently say they will vote for Harris, according to polling data.

Harris' campaign, with backing from prominent Democrats like former President Barack Obama, has focused heavily on reaching out to these voters, particularly in battleground states like Michigan, where the race with Trump remains tight.

Harris also took the opportunity to criticize Trump’s stance on criminal justice.

Trump has proposed policies, such as expanding "stop and frisk," that have been criticized as racially biased and unconstitutional.

Harris warned that these policies could disproportionately harm the Black community, contrasting Trump’s positions with her own vision for reform.

On Wednesday, Harris is set to continue her media blitz with an appearance on Fox News, and she is reportedly considering an interview with popular podcaster Joe Rogan, in an attempt to reach broader audiences, particularly among men.

Harris, the first Black and South Asian woman to be nominated for president by a major party, faces significant pressure to close the gap in her support among Black voters.

The next few weeks will be critical in determining whether her message resonates with this key demographic, as she prepares for the final stretch of the 2024 election campaign.