(Headline USA) President Donald Trump says he’s “a little surprised” that his presumptive Democratic opponent, Joe Biden, has selected Kamala Harris as his running mate.
Trump told reporters at a White House briefing that Harris “was very disrespectful to Joe Biden” during the Democratic primaries, and said “it’s hard to pick somebody that’s that disrespectful.”
He also noted that Harris ”did very poorly” when she ran for the nomination—she dropped out in December—and says, “That’s like a poll.”
Harris was particularly harsh in her criticism of Biden’s troubling record on social-justice issues, such as his support for segregated busing during the 1970s.
Harris also scoffed at the suggestion that she would be Biden’s running mate, suggesting that it was sexist by saying “I think Joe Biden would be a great running mate. As vice president he’s proven that he knows how to do the job.”
Trump also warned that Harris—whom leftist media have sought to portray falsely as a “moderate”—wants to raise taxes, slash funds for the militarily and ban fracking.
He noted her tough questioning of now-Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh during his Senate confirmation hearing.
“She was my No. 1 draft pick and we’ll see how she works out,” Trump said.
Biden’s campaign announced his decision to pick Harris as his running mate earlier Tuesday.
Trump last month had said she would be “a fine choice.”
Meanwhile Vice President Mike Pence welcomed his Democratic rival to the race and used the opportunity to attack the Biden–Harris ticket.
“As you all know, Joe Biden and the Democratic Party have been overtaken by the radical left,” Pence said.
“So given their promises of higher taxes, open borders, socialized medicine and abortion on demand, it’s no surprise that he chose Sen. Harris.”
Pence then plugged the Oct. 7 vice presidential debate, scheduled to take place in Utah.
“So my message to the Democratic nominee for vice president: Congratulations. I’ll see you in Salt Lake City!”
The Susan B. Anthony List, a pro-life organization, likewise condemned Harris for her stance on abortion.
“It is no surprise Joe Biden chose such an extremist as his running mate. If elected, they will immediately begin rolling back President Trump’s pro-life gains, as well as longstanding policies like the Hyde Amendment,” the group said in a statement.
“They will stack the Supreme Court with pro-abortion ideologues, setting the pro-life cause back for generations,” it continued. “Together, Biden and Harris constitute the most pro-abortion presidential ticket in American history.”
Biden said he picked Harris as his running mate in part because she “is ready to lead” and “understands the pain that so many people in our nation are suffering.”
Obama’s former vice president said in an email to supporters that Harris can be the partner to help him deliver on his promises to make sustainable changes to the country, which he characterizes as damaged by Trump’s presidency.
Referencing his time as vice president, Biden said his pick of Harris reflects a “governing decision” rather than a political one, noting that they would inherit “a nation divided, and a world in disarray.”
Biden says he and Harris would be holding a fundraiser Wednesday “so she can get a chance to talk to some of the grassroots supporters who have powered this campaign.”
