WASHINGTON – In a Tuesday interview with NBC News, Vice President Kamala Harris declared that the United States is “definitely” ready for a woman of color to be president. She addressed a variety of topics, including LGBTQ rights and former President Donald Trump’s legal challenges.

The conversation took place at the Naval Observatory in Washington, D.C., which traditionally serves as the vice president’s residence, as the presidential race approaches its conclusion.

Harris has aimed to engage undecided voters leading up to Election Day, appearing on major programs like “60 Minutes” and responding to questions on popular podcasts such as “Call Her Daddy.”

“A significant aspect of this election is about moving forward, and also closing the chapter on a narrative that suggests divisions among Americans,” she stated during her discussion with NBC’s Hallie Jackson.

During the interview, Harris addressed her beliefs and proposals surrounding immigration, abortion, and other matters, but had a particularly heated dialogue with Jackson concerning transgender rights and dodged queries regarding a future pardon for Trump.

Here are five significant moments from the interview:

Harris: No Blame on Sexism for Gender Gap in 2024 Election

If elected, Harris would be the first woman to hold the presidency. She dismissed the notion that sexism would hinder her campaign during her NBC interview.

“I don’t perceive it that way,” she remarked.

“I believe that the electorate should not select a leader based on gender or ethnicity but rather on their ability to earn votes through their qualifications,” she asserted.

A YSL News/Suffolk University poll published on Monday indicated that Harris leads by 17 points among women, while Trump has a 16-point advantage among men.

When asked why she has been hesitant to highlight the groundbreaking nature of her candidacy, Harris reflected that voters are primarily concerned with a candidate’s competence.

“Well, I am obviously a woman,” Harris joked. “I don’t need to point that out to anyone.”

Harris Engages in Heated Discussion on Transgender Rights

When asked if she supports transgender Americans having access to gender-affirming care, Harris did not provide a direct answer.

“I think we should abide by the law. I mean, I suspect you are referring to Donald Trump’s campaign spending significant resources…,” she started, but was interrupted by Jackson, who repeated the question.

Harris then asserted that she would not take the place of doctors, who she stated are best suited to decide what constitutes “medically necessary” treatment.

Her previous comments supporting medical care for gender-affirming surgeries for incarcerated individuals have drawn criticism from Trump and several Republican legislators.

Although LGBTQ rights are not the primary focus of her campaign, Harris emphasized to Jackson that, “Every individual deserves to be treated with dignity and respect, without discrimination for who they are.”

Harris Refuses to Compromise on Abortion Rights

In the interview, Harris indicated she would not engage in compromises regarding reinstating abortion protections.

“I don’t believe we should make concessions when it involves the basic right to control your own body,” Harris said.

When asked if she would consider religious exemptions or reach out to moderate Republicans, such as Sens. Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Harris replied that she would not delve into hypothetical scenarios.

Protecting reproductive rights remains a core pillar of Harris’ campaign, and abortion is expected to be a key issue for many voters following the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade in 2022.

Addressing Potential Trump Pardons

During the interview, Harris was asked about whether she would consider pardoning Trump if he were convicted in his federal cases.

“I’m not going to speculate on those hypotheticals. My focus is on the upcoming 14 days,” she responded.

Trump is facing two federal indictments: one concerning efforts to overturn the 2020 election results and another regarding the improper handling of classified documents post-presidency in 2021. He has also faced a conviction in a separate state-level case regarding hush money payments.

Harris dismissed the idea that a pardon could unify the country.

“What will truly help us move forward is me becoming the elected president of the United States,” she declared.

Harris Stands by Biden After Challenging Debate

Harris defended President Biden’s leadership and reiterated her confidence in his mental sharpness, following his challenging debate performance in June.

“It was a difficult debate. Everyone can have an off night,” Harris noted.

In his debate against Trump earlier this summer, Biden faced challenges with his voice, occasionally stumbling over his words and losing his train of thought, which sparked considerable backlash, even from fellow Democrats, forcing him to withdraw from the race.

At that time, Harris supported Biden, which led her to the forefront of the Democratic party’s candidates.

Harris expressed that she has dedicated “countless hours” working alongside Biden as vice president, asserting that he is “competent, seasoned and fully capable in every respect.”