In an effort to address criticism regarding her limited media appearances, Vice President Kamala Harris engaged with the National Association of Black Journalists on Tuesday, discussing a range of topics including the economy and controversial remarks made by Trump regarding migrant behavior.

During her interview in Philadelphia, Harris answered questions from reporters from POLITICO, the Grio, and NPR, touching on the economy, the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, and a recent conversation with former President Donald Trump—while subtly criticizing Trump and his running mate, Ohio Senator JD Vance, over their comments aimed at Haitian migrants.

This discussion with NABJ took place almost two months after Trump held a contentious interview with Black journalists at the organization’s national conference.

Questions on the Economy Challenge Harris

The first question directed at Harris was a pressing issue for many voters: the economy. Recent polls indicate that more voters trust Trump when it comes to economic matters, particularly inflation—a terrain where Harris has faced challenges in gaining traction.

Similar to the recent presidential debate where the economy was also the top concern, Harris did not address whether Americans were better off during Trump’s presidency. She faced this same inquiry at the start of her interview on Tuesday.

Harris expressed regret that she and President Joe Biden took office “during the worst unemployment since the Great Depression,” a claim that is somewhat misleading since the unemployment rate had actually rebounded to 6.8% after peaking at 14.8% back in April 2020.

She outlined the administration’s efforts to reduce unemployment and introduced her recent economic proposals, including a $25,000 down payment assistance for first-time home buyers and an extension of the child tax credit.

However, she also recognized that further action is necessary. “Are grocery prices still too high? Yes,” she acknowledged. “Is there more work to do? Yes.”

Refuting False Allegations about Haitian Migrants

Harris criticized Trump and Senator JD Vance for perpetuating false allegations that Haitian immigrants are stealing and consuming pets in Springfield, Ohio, labeling such claims as “a crying shame.”

She cautioned her Republican adversaries about the repercussions of their words on a national platform, noting that their comments have incited threatening calls, bomb threats, and evacuations in Springfield.

“When you’re in front of a microphone, you must understand the weight of your words,” Harris stated. “I learned early in my career that what I say can influence whether someone finds freedom or imprisonment.”

Belief in Achieving Peace in the Middle East

Harris articulated her belief in the feasibility of a two-state solution to the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. She reaffirmed her support for Israel’s right to defend itself while also advocating for an independent Palestinian state.

The Biden administration has been actively engaging with Egypt and Qatar over the summer to broker a ceasefire and hostage negotiations between Israel and Hamas, though no agreement has yet been reached. Harris stated that a resolution remains attainable.

POLITICO White House Correspondent Eugene Daniels pressed Harris to clarify her stance compared to Biden’s regarding this conflict. Harris mentioned that she has had direct, private discussions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and others regarding steps to conclude the war.

“Ultimately, achieving this deal will pave the way for progress in the region,” Harris emphasized.

Focus on Gun Violence Prevention

Harris elaborated on her perspective regarding gun safety legislation. In response to a question from interview co-host Tonya Mosley of NPR’s “Fresh Air,” she discussed her approach to mitigating handgun violence and reiterated that, “We’re not trying to confiscate anyone’s weapons, but an assault weapons ban is necessary.”

She advocated for “reasonable gun safety laws” and highlighted the need for universal background checks, stating, “It’s just logical to want to verify if someone is potentially dangerous before allowing them to purchase a lethal weapon.”

When pressed by Mosley to expand beyond her usual points, Harris recounted her experience protesting at a gun show and her support for closing the gun show loophole. She shared her personal experience comforting mothers who had lost children to gun violence. Harris emphasized that the issue requires a comprehensive approach that addresses untreated trauma.

Following the bipartisan gun safety legislation passed in 2022, Harris called for increased funding for community-based interventions and urged that the issue should be a priority.

“We have considered nearly every possible solution,” she remarked. “It’s crucial that we allocate resources to these efforts.”

Civility in Political Discourse

During their presidential debate in September, Harris focused her attention on Trump. Instead of staying at her podium, she approached the former president and offered her hand. Trump accepted the handshake, and their exchange began on a respectful note.

The next morning, at a 9/11 memorial event in New York City, Trump mirrored Harris’s gesture. While she was engaged in conversation with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, former NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg alerted her to Trump’s arrival. He reached out to shake her hand, which she accepted. Trump then held her hand for a moment, gently patting it before letting go.

On Tuesday, following the Secret Service’s prevention of a second assassination attempt on Trump, the sitting vice president mentioned during the NABJ that she had a phone conversation with him.

“I wanted to make sure he was doing fine,” she stated. “In a democracy, political violence is unacceptable. We should engage in constructive debates and discussions, but never resort to violence to settle our disagreements.”

These three interactions, all occurring within the past week, along with a Monday call between Trump and President Joe Biden, represented rare instances of politeness amid a harsh campaign environment, particularly in light of escalating political violence.