Stefanik says Harris is ‘overwhelmingly’ unfit to be commander in chief – Washington Examiner

Asher NotheisSeptember 1, 2024

In a recent interview, Representative Elise ⁤Stefanik (R-NY) criticized ⁣Vice President ⁣Kamala ⁢Harris, claiming she⁣ is ‌”overwhelmingly unfit” to serve as commander in chief, particularly in light of‌ the deaths⁣ of six ‌hostages held‍ by Hamas during her and President Joe Biden’s administration. Among the deceased‍ is 23-year-old Hersh ‌Goldberg-Polin,‍ an ⁣Israeli-American ⁤who was kidnapped on October 7. Stefanik accused the Biden-Harris administration⁢ of failing to adequately⁤ support Israel by withholding critical military aid when it⁢ was needed most. She emphasized ‌the gravity of the situation, stating that it represents⁤ a “dark chapter” in U.S. national security⁤ history.

Additionally, Stefanik highlighted the anniversary of the deaths of 13 ⁣U.S. service members during the withdrawal from Afghanistan, criticizing Harris⁣ for allegedly politicizing these⁤ tragedies in her remarks against former⁣ President Donald ⁢Trump, who visited Arlington National Cemetery⁢ to honor their memory. ⁤Harris referred to ⁢Trump’s visit as a⁢ “political stunt,” which led to backlash from Gold Star families supporting Trump. The controversy underscores ongoing tensions ‍around national security and political accountability between‍ the ‍parties.

Stefanik says Harris is ‘overwhelmingly’ unfit to be commander in chief

Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) argued Vice President Kamala Harris is “overwhelmingly” unfit to be commander in chief, citing the deaths of six hostages held by Hamas on her and President Joe Biden’s watch.

Among the six hostages confirmed dead is Hersh Goldberg-Polin, a 23-year-old Israeli-American male who was taken hostage by Hamas on Oct. 7. In her criticism against the Biden-Harris administration, she argued the administration has turned its back on Israel by withholding “critical military aid at a very important time.”

“It is a disgrace, and you asked the question, Sean, is she fit to protect our national security interests and American citizens around the world?” Stefanik said on Fox News’s Sunday Morning Futures with Maria Bartiromo, guest-hosted by Sean Duffy. “The answer is an overwhelming no. She is not fit to serve the role as commander in chief. The fact that this is an American-Israeli citizen who lost his life on their watch, it is a disgrace, and it’s going to go down in history as one of the darkest chapters of our national security policy.”

Stefanik also referenced how last week marked the three-year anniversary of the 13 service members who were killed during the United States’s withdrawal from Afghanistan, with former President Donald Trump commemorating their lives during a visit to Arlington National Cemetery on Monday. The New York congresswoman specifically blasted the Harris campaign for politicizing the deaths of the service members when it criticized Trump for visiting the cemetery, arguing the former president accepted an offer from the families to visit.

Harris slammed Trump for his visit to the cemetery in a lengthy post on X Saturday, saying he “disrespected sacred ground, all for the sake of a political stunt.” The Trump campaign has since released eight videos in which Gold Star families defended his actions, as well as a joint statement in which they were “appalled” by Harris’s attempt to politicize his visit.

“President Trump was invited by us, the Gold Star families, to attend the solemn ceremonies commemorating the three-year anniversary of our children’s death,” the statement said. “He was there to honor their sacrifice, yet Vice President Harris has disgracefully twisted this sacred moment into a political ploy.”

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) mourned the deaths of the six Israeli hostages and claimed the only way to secure the safe release of the remaining hostages is to target Iran. He referred to Iran as “the great Satan,” while the Hamas terrorist group “is the junior partner.”