Kamala Harris and Mike Pence debate reaction, Trump calls Covid diagnosis ‘blessing’ – live updates

Harris criticized Trump for his refusal to condemn white supremacy at various points throughout his presidency. Trump set off a firestorm during last week’s presidential debate when he urged the Proud Boys, a violent far-right group, to “stand back and stand by” at Black Lives Matter protests. The White House later said the president has “always denounced” any form of white supremacy, despite evidence to the contrary.

Harris accused Trump of a “pattern” of racism, citing his ban on several Muslim-majority nations, labeling Mexicans rapists and criminals during his campaign launch, and his statement that there were “fine people on both sides” at a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville in 2017 that saw a counterdemonstrator killed by a white supremacist.

“This is who we have as the president of the United States,” Harris said. “America, you deserve better.”

Meanwhile, Pence said he didn’t believe systemic racism exists in the United States when moderator Susan Page, asked about the police killing of Breonna Taylor. Pence and Harris disagreed on whether “justice was served” in Taylor’s case.

“Her family deserves justice,” Harris said. “Her life was taken unjustifiably and tragically and violently.”

Pence said, “Our heart breaks for any American innocent life…But I trust our justice system – a grand jury that reviews the evidence.”