Challenges Faced by Kamala Harris: Obstacles and Turning Points

Life is full of challenges, and Kamala Harris faced many. Discover key struggles and how they were overcome.

Kamala Harris is an American politician and attorney notable for serving as the 49th Vice President of the United States from 2021 to 2025 under President Joe Biden. She holds the distinction of being the first female, African American, and Asian American to hold this office. Prior to becoming Vice President, Harris represented California in the U.S. Senate (2017-2021) and served as California's Attorney General (2011-2017). As a member of the Democratic Party, she was also the party's nominee in the 2024 presidential election.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

2004: Stood by Pledge Never to Seek the Death Penalty

In 2004, Kamala Harris kept her pledge never to seek the death penalty in the case of Isaac Espinoza, a San Francisco Police Department officer who was shot and killed.

2007: Chronic truancy rate

In 2007, chronic truancy rate for elementary school students was at 2,517 in San Francisco.

2008: Issued Citations Against Parents for Truancy

In 2008, Kamala Harris issued citations against six parents whose children missed at least 50 days of school, prosecuting adults for student truancy for the first time in San Francisco.

2009: Declined to Seek the Death Penalty

In 2009, Kamala Harris declined to seek the death penalty in the case of Edwin Ramos, who was accused of murdering a man and his two sons.

2014: Harris Defends California's Death Penalty

In 2014, Kamala Harris defended California's death penalty in court while serving as California's Attorney General.

2015: Federal Court Motion Regarding Transgender Inmate Care

In 2015, Kamala Harris faced criticism for a federal court motion filed while California attorney general to block gender-affirming medical care for a transgender inmate.

2016: Russian interference in the 2016 election

In 2016, there was Russian interference in the election which was investigated by special counsel Robert Mueller.

October 2018: Target of Mail Bombing Attempts

In October 2018, Kamala Harris was a target of the United States mail bombing attempts.

2018: Georgia and Florida Gubernatorial Elections

In 2018, Stacey Abrams and Andrew Gillum lost the gubernatorial elections in Georgia and Florida, respectively.

March 2019: Harris calls for Barr to testify before Congress and questions his summary of the Mueller Report

In March 2019, Kamala Harris called for U.S. Attorney General William Barr to testify before Congress following the submission of the Mueller report on Russian interference in the 2016 election. She also questioned Barr's summary of the report, suggesting it deliberately mischaracterized the findings and called for an investigation into whether Barr's summary of the Mueller report and his statements at a news conference were misleading.

April 2019: Harris Urges President Trump Not to Cut Aid to Central American Countries

In April 2019, Kamala Harris joined 33 other Senate Democrats and independents in writing a letter to President Trump, urging him not to cut aid to El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras, arguing that such cuts would damage national security and aggravate conditions inside Central America.

May 1, 2019: Barr Testifies Before Senate Judiciary Committee; Harris Calls for Resignation

On May 1, 2019, William Barr testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee regarding the Mueller report. During the hearing, Kamala Harris questioned Barr about his decision not to charge Trump with obstruction of justice. Following Barr's testimony, Harris called for his resignation, accusing him of misleading the public.

May 5, 2019: Harris Alleges Voter Suppression in Georgia and Florida Gubernatorial Elections

On May 5, 2019, Kamala Harris claimed that voter suppression prevented Democrats Stacey Abrams and Andrew Gillum from winning the 2018 gubernatorial elections in Georgia and Florida.

June 2019: Harris Criticizes Biden at Democratic Presidential Debate

During the first Democratic presidential debate in June 2019, Kamala Harris criticized Joe Biden for past remarks regarding senators who opposed integration efforts and mandatory school bussing. Her poll numbers rose following this debate.

December 3, 2019: Harris Withdraws from 2020 Presidential Election

On December 3, 2019, Kamala Harris withdrew from the 2020 presidential election due to a shortage of funds.

2019: Sought the Democratic presidential nomination

In 2019, Kamala Harris sought the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination, but withdrew from the race before the primaries.

January 16, 2020: Harris Delivers Remarks on Integrity of Justice System Before Trump Impeachment Trial

On January 16, 2020, before the opening of Donald Trump's impeachment trial, Kamala Harris delivered remarks on the Senate floor about the integrity of the American justice system. She emphasized that no one, including the president, is above the law.

March 24, 2021: Harris Assigned to Address Migration from Central America

On March 24, 2021, President Biden assigned Kamala Harris to work with Mexico and Northern Triangle nations to address irregular migration to the U.S. border and its root causes, leading to the development of The Root Causes Strategy (RCS).

April 2021: Harris States She Was Last Person in Room Before Biden Decided to Withdraw Troops from Afghanistan

In April 2021, Kamala Harris stated that she was the last person in the room before President Biden decided to remove all U.S. troops from Afghanistan, praising Biden's courage in making the decision.

June 2021: Harris Visits Guatemala and Mexico to Address Migration

In June 2021, Kamala Harris made her first international trip as Vice President, visiting Guatemala and Mexico to address the root causes of migration from Central America to the United States. During a press conference in Guatemala, she urged potential migrants not to come to the U.S.

February 2022: Harris Assumes Key Diplomatic Role After Russian Invasion of Ukraine

In February 2022, after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Kamala Harris took on a key diplomatic role in the Biden administration, traveling to Germany and Poland to rally support for arming Ukraine and imposing sanctions on Russia.

August 2022: Low Approval Ratings

In August 2022, Kamala Harris had a record low approval rating of 34.8%, according to a RealClear Politics polling average.

July 2024: Launched presidential campaign

In July 2024, after Joe Biden withdrew his candidacy, Kamala Harris launched her own presidential campaign with his endorsement. She later became the nominee and selected Minnesota governor Tim Walz as her running mate, but ultimately lost the election.

July 2024: Harris as "border czar"

In July 2024, there was a House resolution to tie Kamala Harris to the Mexico-United States border crisis, despite her having no authority over the border itself.

September 10, 2024: Presidential Debate

On September 10, 2024, Kamala Harris participated in a presidential debate against Donald Trump, hosted by ABC News in Philadelphia. After the debate, Taylor Swift gave Harris a prominent celebrity endorsement.

November 5, 2024: Loss in 2024 Presidential Election

On November 5, 2024, Kamala Harris lost the United States presidential election to Donald Trump, losing both the Electoral College and popular vote.

2024: Democratic Nominees for Presidential Election

In 2024, Kamala Harris and Joe Biden became the presumptive nominees for the Democratic party in the presidential election. Concerns about Biden's age and health were ongoing.