Vice President Kamala Harris is facing backlash on social media after an unearthed 2016 interview where she sidestepped directly answering whether athletes should stand for the national anthem. The interview, conducted by PBS reporter David Nazar while Harris was serving as attorney general of California, focused on her Senate run and campaign platforms on issues such as criminal justice reform, the Black Lives Matter movement, and the economy in California.
When Nazar asked Harris if athletes should stand for the national anthem, her response centered on Americans’ rights protected in the Constitution, without giving a direct answer. This has sparked criticism on social media, with OutKick founder Clay Travis calling Harris’ response a “long jumble of nothingness.”
The topic of athletes kneeling during the national anthem gained prominence in 2016 when San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick began the protest to raise awareness about police brutality and racism. The protest spread to other sports leagues and athletes, with figures like Megan Rapinoe and Bruce Maxwell joining in.
Former President Trump was among those who criticized the protests, calling them disrespectful to the country and the flag. Harris, however, defended the athletes who knelt during the anthem in 2017, stating that their actions were an expression of free speech protected by the Constitution.
As the backlash continues on social media, Fox News Digital reached out to the Harris campaign for comment on the 2016 interview but did not immediately receive a response. Harris’ stance on the issue of athletes kneeling during the national anthem remains a topic of debate as the general election approaches.
