Most Talked-About Controversies Linked to Kamala Harris

Public opinion and media debates around Kamala Harris—discover key moments of controversy.

Kamala Harris is an American politician and attorney. She served as the 49th Vice President of the United States from 2021 to 2025 under President Joe Biden. Harris is the first female, first African American, and first Asian American U.S. vice president, marking a significant milestone in American political history. She previously represented California in the U.S. Senate from 2017 to 2021 and served as the state's attorney general from 2011 to 2017. A member of the Democratic Party, she was 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: Espinoza Case

In 2004, Kamala Harris kept to 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.

2008: Issued Citations Against Parents of Truant Children

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

2009: Edwin Ramos Case

In 2009, Kamala Harris kept to her pledge never to seek the death penalty in the case of Edwin Ramos, an illegal immigrant and alleged MS-13 gang member who was accused of murdering a man and his two sons.

2009: Publication of Book and Views on Law Enforcement

In 2009, Kamala Harris published a book in which she criticized liberals for what she called "biases against law enforcement".

2015: Criticism for Blocking Gender-Affirming Care

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

May 2017: Questioning of Rod Rosenstein

In May 2017, Kamala Harris questioned Rod Rosenstein, the deputy attorney general, about the firing of James Comey, the director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Her questioning was interrupted by Senators John McCain and Richard Burr.

March 2019: Called for Barr to Testify and Signed Letter Questioning Barr's Decision

In March 2019, Kamala Harris called for U.S. Attorney General William Barr to testify before Congress regarding the Mueller report. Later that month, she was among a group of Democratic senators who signed a letter questioning Barr's decision concerning obstruction of justice and called for an investigation into his summary of the Mueller report.

May 1, 2019: Barr Testifies Before Senate Judiciary Committee

On May 1, 2019, Kamala Harris questioned Attorney General Barr during his testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee about the Mueller report. She questioned Barr about reviewing the underlying evidence before deciding not to charge Trump with obstruction of justice. She later called for Barr to resign and demanded an investigation into whether Barr acceded to pressure from the White House.

May 5, 2019: Harris Comments on Voter Suppression

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

July 2024: Criticism over role in Mexico-United States border crisis.

In July 2024, Republicans and critics used the term 'border czar' to tie Kamala Harris to the Mexico-United States border crisis, despite her having no authority over the border itself.