During Monday’s press briefing, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre was unable to answer what Vice President Kamala Harris – who was placed in charge of the border crisis in March 2021 – has done to help bring down illegal immigration.
“The President tasked the Vice President with studying and working on the root causes of some of these issues. I’m wondering if there’s any update from this side of the White House on what she’s been doing and what she will continue to do,” a reporter said.
“The President appreciates the partnership that he has with the Vice President,” Jean-Pierre said. “You’re right, that has been her charge, to work in a diplomatic way on finding the root causes of — of migration. I don’t have anything to lay out specifically on what that work looks like.”
“But, again, we appreciate her partnership. And I would probably refer you to her office on anything specific on the work that she’s doing,” Jean-Pierre added.
Vice President Kamala Harris was placed in charge of the border crisis in March 2021 as illegal immigration levels began to set new records – just two months after President Biden entered office. Harris subsequently went nearly 100 days without scheduling a trip to the border.
When she finally visited the border – a trip that was announced shortly after former President Trump said he was planning to visit the border – she snapped at Fox News reporter Peter Doocy for questioning why she had finally decided to visit the border.
“As she arrived in El Paso, she was asked by Fox News’ Peter Doocy why right now was the time to make her first trip to the border,” Fox News reported.
“It’s not my first trip, I’ve been to the border many times,” Harris replied, clarifying that she did not start avoiding the border until the illegal immigration crisis was her responsibility.