NBC’s Hallie Jackson faced a torrent of backlash for her persistent line of questioning during an interview with Kamala Harris on Tuesday.
Jackson pressed the vice president on a series of contentious issues including her defense of transgender rights and whether she would grant a pardon to former President Donald Trump.
‘Would you consider – if you win and he’s convicted – a pardon for former President Trump?’ Jackson asked the 2024 contender.
Harris repeatedly shut down the question, appearing to not take it seriously.
‘I’m not going to get into those hypotheticals,’ she replied. ‘I’m focused on the next 14 days.’
Kamala Harris joined NBC News host Hallie Jackson for an interview that aired Tuesday night – with just 14 days until the 2024 election
The anchor pressed Harris, claiming that there are some who claim a pardon might unify the country and ‘help us move on.’
Harris shot back: ‘Let me tell you what will help us move on – I get elected president of the United States.’
The vice president also refused to answer when asked whether Americans should have access to gender-affirming care – an issue Trump has criticized her for supporting on the campaign trail.
‘I think we should follow the law,’ Harris said before complaining that ‘Donald Trump’s campaign has spent tens of millions of dollars…’
Jackson refused to back down, adding: ‘They’re trying to define you on this, I’m asking you to define yourself, though, just broadly speaking, what is your value? Do you believe they should have that access?’
Harris stuck to the script by responding that ‘on this issue’ federal law states doctors are allowed to make a decision based on what is ‘medically necessary.’
Harris was grilled on whether she would consider a pardon for former President Trump
‘I’m not going to put myself in a position of a doctor,’ she said.
Jackson then pressed her a third time, determined to get a clear response on the issue.
‘I believe that all people should be treated with dignity and respect, period, and should not be vilified for who they are, and should not be bullied for who they are,’ Harris declared. ‘And that is a true statement for me my entire career. And that has not changed.’
Some on social media were outraged that NBC would speculate about a possible pardon for the former president.
‘Hallie Jackson where do you start and or get off even asking a question about pardons?!!! How about accountability first!’ on user on X posted in ire of the question posed to the VP.
‘Plus, do you actually think a pardon will ‘heal’ the nation?’ they added.
Social media erupted with criticism over Hallie Jackson’s questioning of Harris, claiming it was ‘flawed’ to ask if the VP would consider a pardon for former President Donald Trump
Another wrote: ‘OMG what a horrible interview conducted by Hallie Jackson. Seriously you call yourself a reporter. To ask about giving A CONVICTED Felon a pardon for the purposes of bringing this country together. SERIOUSLY WTF wrong with you. you’re not a serious reporter.’
The user added a hashtag calling for NBC to fire Jackson.
‘Hallie Jackson asking Kamala Harris if she would pardon Trumpf (sic). At this point shouldn’t these ‘journalists’ be wearing MAGA hats?’ another posted to X – even though Jackson works for a left-leaning network.
One person even insisted ‘Hallie Jackson look like a clown’ during the interview for asking whether she would consider compromising with Republicans on abortion rights.
‘We stand with Madam Vice President,’ the user added.
Another said that Jackson’s interview questions were fundamentally ‘flawed,’ and specifically pointed to the pardon question and another on whether the country is ready for a black female president.
There are only 14 days until the 2024 presidential election.
Harris and Trump are going full court press on campaign events and interviews to try and persuade voters that they are going to save the country.
