Vice President Kamala Harris’s response to the recent school shooting in Georgia, where she swiftly condemned the violence and called for action against gun violence, has been contrasted with her silence on reports of armed Venezuelan migrant gangs taking over apartment buildings. This has sparked criticism from opponents who accuse her of selectively addressing issues based on political expediency.
Following the shooting at Apalachee High School in Georgia that killed four and injured several, Harris expressed her grief and called for an end to the “epidemic of gun violence” in the country. However, she has remained silent on the alarming reports of Venezuelan migrant gangs, known as Tren de Aragua, allegedly taking control of apartment buildings in cities like Aurora, Colorado.
Critics argue that Harris’s response to the school shooting reflects a focus on gun control, a key issue for her campaign, while ignoring the growing problem of gang violence linked to immigration. Russell Stuart, a Beverly Hills school board candidate and gun shop owner, pointed out that Harris was quick to address the shooting, which involved a mentally ill 14-year-old, but has remained silent on the “very real and dangerous violence being carried out by illegal immigrant gangs in American cities.”
John Fabbricatore, a retired Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent and congressional candidate, suggested that Harris’s silence stems from her perceived role in the current immigration situation. He believes that Harris, who has been in office for four years, is reluctant to acknowledge the challenges she helped create, particularly those related to border security.
The issue of Venezuelan gangs taking over apartment buildings has been reported in several locations, with concerns raised about their violent tactics, including extortion, threats, and even human trafficking. These gangs have exploited vulnerabilities created by sanctuary city policies and the inability to deport Venezuelans due to their government’s refusal to cooperate.
The silence from the Harris campaign on this issue has fueled accusations of political maneuvering. Opponents argue that she is strategically choosing issues to address based on their potential to bolster her campaign, while ignoring those that might be politically damaging. The Harris campaign has not responded to requests for comment on this matter.
