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 number of contentious issues, including her advocacy for transgender rights and whether she would grant a pardon to former President Donald Trump.
‘Would you consider, if he wins and is convicted, a pardon for former President Trump?’ Jackson asked the 2024 contender.
Harris repeatedly shut down the question, appearing not to take it seriously.
“I’m not going to go into those hypotheses,” he responded. “I’m focused on the next 14 days.”
Kamala Harris joined NBC News anchor Hallie Jackson for an interview that aired Tuesday night, with the 2024 election just 14 days away.
The host pressed Harris, stating that there are those who say a pardon could unify the country and “help us move forward.”
Harris responded: “Let me tell you what will help us move forward: I will be elected president of the United States.”
The vice president also declined to answer when asked whether Americans should have access to gender-affirming healthcare, an issue Trump criticized her for supporting during the campaign.
“I think we should respect 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 in this, but I’m asking you to define yourself, but generally speaking, what is your value?” Do you think they should have that access?
Harris stuck to the script by responding that “on this issue,” federal law states that doctors can make a decision based on what is “medically necessary.”
Harris was asked if she would consider a pardon for former President Trump
“I’m not going to put myself in the position of a doctor,” he said. “But let’s also understand that Donald Trump is spending tens of millions of dollars on ads to talk about two cases to distract from the fact that his policy and plan is also to eliminate the Affordable Care Act, which provides health care to dozens of people. millions of people in our country.’
Some on social media were outraged that NBC was speculating about a possible pardon for the former president.
‘Hallie Jackson, where do you start or end even asking a question about pardons? How about accountability first? the user on X posted angry about the question posed to the vice president.
‘Also, do you really think a pardon will ‘heal’ the nation? they added.
Social media erupted in criticism over Hallie Jackson’s questioning of Harris, claiming it was “flawed” to ask whether the vice president would consider a pardon for former President Donald Trump.
Another wrote: ‘OMG what a horrible interview by Hallie Jackson. Seriously, you consider yourself a journalist. Ask about the possibility of granting a pardon to A CONVICTED criminal in order to unite this country. SERIOUSLY, what’s wrong with you. You are not a serious journalist.
The user added a hashtag asking NBC to fire Jackson.
‘Hallie Jackson asks Kamala Harris if she would forgive Trumpf (sic). By now, shouldn’t these ‘journalists’ be wearing MAGA hats? another posted on X, even though Jackson works for a left-wing network.
Another said Jackosn’s interview questions were fundamentally “flawed” and specifically pointed out the pardon question and another about whether the country is ready for a black female president.
There are only 14 days left until the 2024 presidential elections.
Harris and Trump are doing as much press as they can at campaign events and interviews to try to persuade voters that they are going to save the country.