‘This must be disqualifying’: Harris calls out Trump’s violent Cheney comments

Kamala Harris slammed Donald Trump’s violent rhetoric about Liz Cheney, saying that it “must be disqualifying.”

Speaking from Wisconsin at Dane County Regional Airport on Friday, the vice president addressed Trump suggesting Cheney, who he referred to as a “radical war hawk,”should stand “with nine barrels shooting at her.” It was Harris’ first public response to the remarks, as her campaign seizes on the former president’s increasing threats targeting his political opponents.

“In great detail, he suggested rifles should be trained on former Rep. Liz Cheney. This must be disqualifying. Anyone who wants to be president of the United States who uses that kind of violent rhetoric is clearly disqualified and unqualified to be president,” Harris said. “Rep. Cheney is a true patriot who has shown extraordinary courage in putting country above party. Trump is increasingly, however, someone who considers his political opponents the enemy, is permanently out for revenge and is increasingly unstable and unhinged.”

Harris’ comments come as her campaign jumps on Trump’s latest remarks about his political opposition, working to keep this rhetoric in front of voters as the vice president takes her closing argument to battleground voters ahead of Tuesday. Her campaign believes the latest development — building on his controversial Madison Square Garden rally — could harm Trump in the final days of the race, particularly among undecided and swing voters her officials say are breaking toward Harris.

“Voters are making their decisions. Many have voted, but there are still those who are making a decision about who they will vote for. And what I offer is — I ask folks to, among the many issues before you, just consider who’s going to be sitting in the oval office on Jan. 20,” Harris said. “Either you’re going to have Donald Trump there who will be stewing over his enemies list or I will be there working hard on your behalf, on my to-do list. That is the choice among many that is at stake in this election.”

The vice president also responded to reports — and Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s claim — that Trump will give the former presidential candidate control of public health agencies if he wins the White House.

“As of last night, just to add more, he has indicated that the person who would be in charge of health care for the American people is someone who has routinely promoted junk science and crazy conspiracy theories, who once expressed support for a national abortion ban and who is the exact last person in America who should be setting health care policy for America’s families and children,” she said.

Trump’s campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment.