Governor Maura Healey Deflects on Kamala Harris’s False Comments About U.S. Soldiers, Faces Backlash on National TV
Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey found herself in hot water after dodging questions about Vice President Kamala Harris’s false statements concerning U.S. soldiers during a tense appearance on ABC’s “Meet the Press.” The first-term Democrat was there to defend Harris but quickly became the target of sharp criticism after attempting to gloss over a fact-check revealing Harris’s inaccurate claims.
Harris recently claimed, “As of today, there’s not one member of the United States military who is in active duty in a combat zone in any war zone around the world, the first time this century,” during a debate. However, this statement was quickly debunked, as thousands of American troops remain stationed in combat zones across the Middle East.
Veteran journalist Martha Raddatz pressed Healey on the false claim, citing data that showed 900 U.S. military personnel are currently in Syria, 2,500 troops are stationed in Iraq, and American forces are still under threat from drones and missiles. “So why would she make that claim?” Raddatz asked. Healey, seemingly unprepared for the direct challenge, delivered a vague and evasive response, praising Harris’s leadership but failing to address the factual inaccuracy.
“I think what’s important here, Martha, is Kamala Harris, in contrast to Donald Trump, demonstrated herself to be commander in chief,” Healey said, attempting to steer the conversation toward Trump. But Raddatz interrupted, refocusing on the issue at hand: “Governor, excuse me… did she not know about these people in Syria, in Iraq? Why would she say that?”
Healey stumbled in her response, repeating that Harris was making a “broader point,” but struggled to explain the glaring discrepancy. Instead, she pivoted back to attacking Donald Trump, labeling his potential return to the White House as the real danger facing the nation.
Despite her attempts to change the narrative, Healey’s appearance left viewers with more questions than answers, and her failure to directly address Harris’s inaccuracies drew significant criticism. The interaction comes as Harris faces stagnating poll numbers. While she remains competitive with Trump nationally, her performance in swing states shows a more complicated picture. Polls indicate that voters are still undecided or unimpressed, with no significant post-debate boost for Harris.
Adding to the uncertainty, former Democratic candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s removal from ballots in critical battleground states like North Carolina is expected to benefit Trump. Kennedy, who endorsed Trump after dropping out in August, could prove a decisive factor in tightening the race.
Governor Healey’s deflection may have been intended to shield Harris from the mounting scrutiny, but instead, it showcased the Democratic party’s struggle to control the narrative as they brace for a fierce general election battle.