Sen. Kamala Harris dodged multiple questions from reporters about actor Jussie Smollett and was later raked over the coals for her statement on the actor’s arrest.
The California Democrat and 2020 presidential candidate offered no apologies for likening the hoax attack on the actor to a “modern-day lynching,” as she headed to her car through a throng of reporters while holding Al Sharpton’s hand.
WATCH: Kamala Harris runs away from questions about Jussie Smollett while holding hands with Al Sharpton…
I guess it’s easier to divide a country by declaring something a ‘modern day lynching’ then it is to apologize and try to bring us together… pic.twitter.com/OmfqomyQHc
— Tim Young (@TimRunsHisMouth) February 21, 2019
Harris did express that she was “sad, frustrated, and disappointed” in a tweet Thursday, finally speaking out about the alleged attack on Smollett, who was arrested Thursday for disorderly conduct and for filing a false police report in last month’s alleged assault in which he claimed two men had attacked him, poured a chemical on him and put a rope around his neck, while yelling racist and homophobic slurs at him.
“When anyone makes false claims to police, it not only diverts resources away from serious investigations but it makes it more difficult for other victims of crime to come forward,” Harris said in the statement which never apologized for her previous remarks.
Like most of you, I’ve seen the reports about Jussie Smollett, and I’m sad, frustrated, and disappointed. pic.twitter.com/91OHOymShi
— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) February 21, 2019
The California lawmaker had immediately reacted to the initial report of the alleged assault last month making assumptions about the alleged hate crime.
.@JussieSmollett is one of the kindest, most gentle human beings I know. I’m praying for his quick recovery.
This was an attempted modern day lynching. No one should have to fear for their life because of their sexuality or color of their skin. We must confront this hate.
— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) January 29, 2019
Continuing her non-apology-statement on Thursday, Harris called out those who “seized” upon the story instead of focusing on real crimes, apparently forgetting her own knee-jerk reaction to what she called a lynching.
“Part of the tragedy of this situation is that it distracts from the truth, and has been seized by some who would like to dismiss and downplay the very real problems that we must address. We should not allow that,” she wrote.
“We must always confront hate directly, and we must always seek justice,” she continued. “That is what I will keep fighting for.”
Earlier in the week, Harris found herself struggling to defend her initial reaction to the alleged attack when confronted with her own words, stammering her response.
Kamala cornered: Harris struggles when reporter asks about Smollett’s ‘modern-day lynching’: ‘Um, ah, ah, uh, okay, so…’ https://t.co/EzX8v19AF2 pic.twitter.com/cL7nrDUEU0
— Conservative News (@BIZPACReview) February 19, 2019
Harris is still apparently not willing to take responsibility for her remarks in the wake of the latest developments. Fellow Democrats who also jumped to the 36-year-old actor’s defense when the story first broke have had differing responses and have still offered no apologies for jumping to conclusions.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi deleted previous tweets supporting Smollett but Rep. Maxine Waters left hers up, and continued to be “hopeful” that the police charges were not true.
Maxine Waters not ready to believe police on Smollett: We’re friends, we marched in Pride Parade https://t.co/Y9pmWZrvcy pic.twitter.com/itUc7bqIeq
— Conservative News (@BIZPACReview) February 22, 2019
President Trump called on Smollett in a tweet on Thursday to apologize for smearing Trump-supporting conservatives as racist and homophobic.
Smollett and his attorneys have denied all the allegations against him. A judge granted $100,000 bail, and Smollett paid a $10,000 bond, at his court appearance on Thursday, according to CNN. Chicago police Superintendent Eddie Johnson blasted Smollett in a blistering statement Thursday as he discussed the details.
While Harris has dodged directly responding to questions about her divisive remarks, her tweeted statement berating others who “like to dismiss and downplay” problems earned her scorching rebukes on Twitter.
Senator, doesn’t the rush to judgement, the rejection of due process, and the publicizing of a narrative in an attempt to advance your political clout also distract from real victims and real problems?
You owe the people an apology. This is not an apology.
— Daniel Balcombe (@DanielBalcombe) February 21, 2019
How dare you not apologize for completely jumping on this story without knowing the facts first? You played with Americas hysteria in respect to it’s freak-out culture and used it for your personal political agenda.
— Fernando A. Garrido Morales (@fergarridomora) February 21, 2019
Mind blowing how you are an attorney and instantly jumped onto this without any proper investigation makes you wonder how qualified you really are to be in a position of power let alone run for president.
— Avanti (@Forza_Avanti) February 21, 2019
Lets not forgot she cited this hoax to pass legislation a week ago. Fraud peddler
— Captain Hindsight (@NathanChiarelli) February 22, 2019
This is horseshit! What about the millions of Trump supporters he smeared with his lies?? Shame on you! You’re nothing but a leftist hack.
— Cristina Laila (@cristinalaila1) February 22, 2019
You are sad and disappointed he got caught. You really wanted to use this soooo bad during 2020.
Those days are over
— Kambree Kawahine Koa (@KamVTV) February 22, 2019
Two problems with your statement: First, you did not humble yourself and apologize for your rush to judgement, a reflection of hate you possibly harbor in your own heart. Second, you failed to to see that Jussie’s claim was an act of hate toward others. Are your eyes open?
— Randy Carruthers (@RandyCarruther5) February 22, 2019
Kamala has no chance..
Everyone is missing the biggest aspect of this hoax.
It was an elaborate and very premeditated hate crime designed to get innocent Trump supporters physically assaulted at random.
He was trying to start a race war.
— FredStarSmith (@FredStarSmith1) February 22, 2019
This is so out of touch. He committed a crime. You’re deflecting to score political points.
— Matt Sarelson (@MSarelson) February 21, 2019
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