In her first interview with the mainstream media after winning the Democratic presidential nomination, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris vowed that she would take a tough stance on illegal immigration and support the continued provision of weapons to Israel. She also said that if she wins, she will appoint a Republican to the cabinet. Her remarks show that she is trying hard to win the support of centrist voters. Harris was interviewed by CNN host Dana Bash on Thursday (August 29). She said she would re-promote comprehensive border legislation to tighten control over immigrants entering the United States and vowed to strictly enforce the law against illegal border crossers. "We have laws that must be followed and enforced. These laws target and deal with illegal border crossers. (Illegals) should bear the consequences," Harris said.

She also closely followed U.S. President Joe Biden's strong support for Israel and rejected calls from some in the Democratic Party that Washington should reconsider sending weapons to Israel because of the war in Gaza, which has killed so many Palestinian civilians.

Harris said she supports a strong Israel, but "we have to make a deal" to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza. Asked if she would stop supplying weapons to Israel, Harris said: "No, we have to make a (ceasefire and hostage) deal."

The 59-year-old Democrat told CNN she no longer wants to ban fracking, the extraction of oil and gas, but she remains committed to a fairer economy. When asked about her shifting policy positions, Harris said, "My values have not changed."

During the Democratic primary in the last US presidential election in 2020, Harris supported a ban on fracking and legalizing illegal border crossings. But fracking energy production brings a large number of jobs to Pennsylvania, one of the few swing states that may decide the outcome of this election. "I am the best person for this (presidential) job," Harris said in a joint interview with CNN with her running mate Tim Walz during the campaign in another swing state, Georgia. She said Donald Trump has weakened the character and strength of Americans and divided the country. "I think people are ready to turn a new page. People are ready for a new way forward," she said.

Harris said she hopes to have a Republican in her cabinet if she wins the election. "I think it's important to have people with different perspectives, different experiences involved when we're making some of the most important decisions. I think it would be good for the American public if we had a Republican in the cabinet."

Trump posted on the social media platform Truth Social that the interview was "Boring!!!" The former Republican president called Harris "the most fickle person" during a speech at a rally in the swing state of Michigan. He also said: "She doesn't look like a leader to me."

Since officially becoming the Democratic presidential nominee last month, Harris has inspired new enthusiasm among voters, enjoying a honeymoon period of surging polls and record campaign fundraising, but has also come under scrutiny for being vague on many of her policies during the campaign.

Multiple polls released Thursday showed Harris slightly ahead of Trump, with several finding Harris's support increasing in swing states. A Reuters/Ipsos poll released Thursday showed her ahead at 45% to Trump's 41%. Former U.S. President Trump, 78, has also been campaigning hard in recent days. Speaking at an event in Porterville, Michigan, Trump criticized Harris's immigration policy shift on Thursday, asking rhetorically, "Where has she been in three and a half years?" Harris and Trump will have a crucial first debate in Philadelphia on September 10.