Sex Trafficking and HIV
Presidential Elections
Kamala Harris
Tim Walz, VP
Donald Trump
JD Vance, VP
Who is Kamala Harris?
Harris is an Oakland California Native, She is the daughter of immigrants, her father from Jamaica, and her mother from India. She attended Howard University, a historically Black University, for undergraduate and the University of California, San Francisco Law School for her law degree. In 1990, she was hired to be a deputy district attorney of Alameda County, focusing on sex crimes. She was appointed to the Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board as well as the California Medical Assistance Commission, in 1994. Some say this was in part due to the fact that she was dating the man who appointed her at the time, but she has defended this by pointing towards the work she completed while doing this.
In 1998, she was appointed as the assistant district attorney for San Francisco. Here she became the chief of the Career Criminal Division, in charge of five other attorneys. She focused on teenage prostitution, homicides, and sexual assault cases. She resigned after a dispute with someone she worked with over an issue on a new proposition and began working for a city attorney in San Francisco working in the Family and Children's Services Division, to support and advocate for neglected children.
In 2003, she ran to become District Attorney of San Francisco, against the incumbent and her former employer. She won in the run off election, becoming the first Black woman to take such office in San Francisco. In the first three years of office, the conviction rate jumped from 52 to 67 percent. In 2004, a highly controversial decision was made when an officer was shot and killed in the line of duty and Kamala Harris decided to not pursue the death penalty. She had been very clear from the beginning that she was against the use of the death penalty. This decision in this particular case was met with a lot of backlash, including from then Senator Diane Feinstein who had supported her run for District Attorney. For the next decade, she did not receive the support of the police union. She also supported a law that made truancy, the absenteeism of school for no good reason, a misdemeanor, punishing parents who did not send their children to school
In 2010, she was elected to become the District Attorney of California. Harris created the OpenJustice platform that made criminal justice data publicly available. For criminal justice issues, she had mixed decisions. She supported the use of body cams for police officers, but did not implement a statewide use of these. She also opposed a bill that would have required the attorney general’s office to investigate police shootings. In 2016, with the endorsement of both then President Obama and Vice President Joe Biden, she ran for the US Senate to represent California, and was elected and inaugurated to this position in 2017.
Harris gained recognition for her tough grilling on Supreme Court nominees including Brett Kavaunaugh, and for Jeff Sessions on the Russia Investigation. After spending just two years in her Senate position, she announced her candidacy for the race for the US Presidential Election. Her most notable moment during this campaign was when she called then former Vice President Joe Biden out for his position on cross districting busing in schools in the 1970s to desegregate schools stating: “There was a little girl in California who was part of the second class to integrate her public schools. And she was bused to school every day. And that little girl was me.” She remained in the race until December of 2019, citing fundraising issues as the reason for the termination of her campaign
Kamala Harris made history in 2020, to be the first woman, first Black person, and first Indian person, to ever be elected to be the Vice President of the United States. While in the office of Vice President Harris took on a heavy topic of addressing the underlying causes of immigration. She has recognized that there are several issues when it comes to America’s immigration system and that it is a broken system. She and Biden tried to pass a bill that would set a threshold on the number of migrants coming through the border, closing the border once it passed this threshold, as well as funding for new border security agents and asylum officers, but Republicans shot this down. In 2022, after Roe v Wade was repealed, this was a massive turning point in Kamala’s prioritizations as she led the charge on fighting for reproductive rights and maternal health.
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Who is Donald Trump?
Donald Trump, born in Queens, New York, in 1946, is a businessman and television personality who served as the 45th President of the United States from 2017 to 2021. He is the son of Fred Trump, a successful real estate developer, and Mary Trump. Trump attended the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, where he earned a degree in economics.
Before entering politics, Trump was known for his real estate ventures, particularly in Manhattan, where he developed high-profile properties, including Trump Tower. He also gained fame as the host of the reality TV show *The Apprentice*. Despite several business successes, Trump faced multiple bankruptcies related to his casinos and other ventures.
Trump entered the political arena as a Republican candidate in the 2016 Presidential Election, running on a platform of economic nationalism, immigration control, and deregulation. His campaign was marked by controversial rhetoric and a strong anti-establishment stance, which resonated with many voters. Despite polls predicting his defeat, Trump won the presidency by securing key swing states and the Electoral College, although he lost the popular vote.
As president, Trump's policies focused on tax cuts, deregulation, and conservative judicial appointments. He pursued an "America First" foreign policy, renegotiating trade deals and withdrawing from international agreements like the Paris Climate Accord. Domestically, his administration took a hardline stance on immigration, leading to the implementation of policies like the travel ban on several predominantly Muslim countries and the construction of barriers along the U.S.-Mexico border.
Trump's presidency was highly polarizing. Supporters praised his economic policies, which they credited with boosting growth and reducing unemployment (until the COVID-19 pandemic), and his efforts to reshape the federal judiciary. Critics, however, condemned his handling of the pandemic, his divisive rhetoric, and his attacks on democratic institutions, including his refusal to concede the 2020 election after losing to Joe Biden. His claims of widespread voter fraud led to the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol by his supporters, an event that resulted in his second impeachment by the House of Representatives, though he was acquitted by the Senate.
Since leaving office, Trump has remained a significant figure in the Republican Party, influencing its direction and endorsing candidates aligned with his views. He has also announced his candidacy for the 2024 Presidential Election, aiming to return to the White House.
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Policy Areas, Trump & Harris Compare-Contrast​
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Kamala Harris
[Vice Presidency;
2021–Present)]​
Donald Trump
[Presidency; 2017–2021 &
Post-Presidency 2021–2024]
Immigration
Trump took a hardline stance on immigration, emphasizing border security and reducing illegal immigration. His administration implemented policies like the travel ban on several predominantly Muslim countries (2017) and the "zero-tolerance" policy that led to family separations at the U.S.-Mexico border. Trump also prioritized building a wall along the southern border and restricting asylum claims, arguing that these measures were necessary for national security. Since leaving office, Trump has criticized the Biden administration's immigration policies, claiming they have led to increased illegal immigration and border insecurity. He has reaffirmed his commitment to resuming construction of the border wall and reinstating his administration's strict immigration policies as part of his 2024 Presidential campaign.
As Vice President, Kamala Harris has focused on addressing the root causes of migration from Central America, particularly in El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras. Contrary to some GOP claims, she has not been in charge of border control. Instead, she has worked to secure over $5 billion in commitments for economic development programs aimed at reducing the factors driving migration. Harris has consistently advocated for comprehensive immigration reform, supporting measures such as pathways to citizenship for undocumented immigrants and improvements to the asylum system. In early 2024, she strongly backed a bipartisan border security bill that was ultimately rejected by Congress, signaling that she would likely pursue similar policies if she were to become President.
Reproductive Rights
Trump appointed three conservative justices to the Supreme Court, creating a majority that ultimately led to the overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022. During his presidency, Trump supported anti-abortion policies, including the reinstatement of the "Mexico City Policy," which banned U.S. funding for international organizations that provide or promote abortion. He also supported defunding Planned Parenthood and restricting access to abortion services. Since leaving office, Trump has maintained his opposition to abortion rights and has expressed support for the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. During his 2024 campaign, Trump has pledged to appoint more conservative judges to further restrict abortion access and has praised states that have enacted stricter abortion laws.
Kamala Harris has a strong history of advocating for reproductive rights, continuing her efforts during her tenure as Vice President. She co-sponsored legislation to prohibit state restrictions on abortion and opposed measures to limit abortions after 20 weeks while serving in the Senate. Following the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, she has been a vocal leader in efforts to protect abortion access at the federal level, supporting legislation aimed at safeguarding reproductive rights despite facing significant opposition in Congress. As she prepares for her campaign this year, it is clear that she will prioritize advancing reproductive rights and women's healthcare, though her specific plans remain uncertain.
The Economy
Trump's economic policies focused on tax cuts, deregulation, and trade. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 reduced corporate tax rates and provided tax relief for individuals, which Trump argued would spur economic growth. He also pursued tariffs on Chinese imports and renegotiated trade deals like NAFTA, which he replaced with the USMCA in 2020. Trump emphasized reducing regulations to boost business investment and job creation. Since leaving office, Trump continues to emphasize his economic achievements during his presidency, particularly the pre-pandemic growth and low unemployment rates. For his 2024 campaign, Trump has proposed additional tax cuts, deregulation, and measures to bring manufacturing jobs back to the U.S. He has criticized Biden's economic policies, claiming they have led to higher inflation and slower growth.
Throughout her political career, Kamala Harris has consistently advocated for the economic well-being of lower- and middle-class Americans. She has championed universal healthcare, student debt forgiveness, and introduced the LIFT the Middle Class Act, which proposed $3,000 tax credits for working families. As Vice President, Harris supported the American Rescue Plan, which provided critical economic relief during the COVID-19 pandemic, and she was a strong proponent of the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, legislation aimed at reducing costs for families, promoting clean energy, and combating inflation. Harris has also pushed for raising the minimum wage, investing in infrastructure to create jobs, and offering targeted relief to communities most impacted by economic downturns. If elected as president, she is likely to continue supporting policies that protect American jobs, foster economic recovery, and address climate change.
LGBTQ+ Rights
Trump's administration took several actions that were seen as rolling back LGBTQ+ rights. In 2017, Trump announced a ban on transgender individuals serving in the military, which went into effect in 2019. His administration also rescinded Obama-era protections for transgender students in public schools and opposed the Equality Act, arguing that it infringed on religious freedoms. Since leaving office, Trump has continued to appeal to conservative voters by opposing measures that he claims infringe on religious freedoms, including some LGBTQ+ protections. He has also criticized the Biden administration's policies on transgender rights, particularly in relation to sports and education. Trump's 2024 platform includes support for traditional gender roles and opposition to federal mandates on gender identity issues.
Kamala Harris has consistently championed LGBTQ+ rights throughout her career, making it a central theme of her campaign. Endorsed by the Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest LGBTQ+ civil rights organization, her commitment is evident in her support for the Respect for Marriage Act, signed during her vice presidency, which strengthens protections for same-sex marriages. As California Attorney General, she notably refused to defend Proposition 8, leading to its repeal in 2013. Harris also advocates for the Equality Act to expand federal discrimination protections and has supported measures to ban conversion therapy and enhance healthcare and educational protections for transgender individuals. Her ongoing efforts reflect a dedication to advancing policies that protect LGBTQ+ youth from discrimination and violence.
Climate Change
Trump's administration prioritized deregulation and energy independence, often at the expense of environmental protections. In 2017, Trump announced the U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement, arguing that it was unfair to the U.S. economy. His administration rolled back numerous environmental regulations, including those related to emissions standards and protected lands, to promote fossil fuel production and economic growth. Since leaving office, Trump remains skeptical of the urgency of climate change and has criticized the Biden administration's climate policies as harmful to the economy. He has pledged to reverse regulations that he views as detrimental to the energy sector, particularly those affecting fossil fuels. Trump's 2024 platform emphasizes energy independence and the expansion of oil, gas, and coal production.
Kamala Harris has a strong track record of advocating for climate action and combating the climate crisis. She co-sponsored the Green New Deal, which focuses on transitioning to renewable energy and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. During her 2019 presidential campaign, Harris proposed a $10 trillion plan to curb emissions, including initiatives like a climate pollution fee. As Vice President, she announced a $3 billion U.S. contribution to the Green Climate Fund and supported the implementation of the Inflation Reduction Act, which invests in clean energy and emissions reduction. Harris also emphasizes environmental justice, advocating for communities disproportionately affected by climate change and pushing for stronger global commitments at international climate summits. As president, she would likely continue to prioritize climate action, emphasizing the transition to clean energy and addressing environmental justice.
Welfare & Social Security
Trump's administration prioritized deregulation and energy independence, often at the expense of environmental protections. In 2017, Trump announced the U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement, arguing that it was unfair to the U.S. economy. His administration rolled back numerous environmental regulations, including those related to emissions standards and protected lands, to promote fossil fuel production and economic growth. Since leaving office, Trump remains skeptical of the urgency of climate change and has criticized the Biden administration's climate policies as harmful to the economy. He has pledged to reverse regulations that he views as detrimental to the energy sector, particularly those affecting fossil fuels. Trump's 2024 platform emphasizes energy independence and the expansion of oil, gas, and coal production.
Kamala Harris has a strong track record of advocating for climate action and combating the climate crisis. She co-sponsored the Green New Deal, which focuses on transitioning to renewable energy and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. During her 2019 presidential campaign, Harris proposed a $10 trillion plan to curb emissions, including initiatives like a climate pollution fee. As Vice President, she announced a $3 billion U.S. contribution to the Green Climate Fund and supported the implementation of the Inflation Reduction Act, which invests in clean energy and emissions reduction. Harris also emphasizes environmental justice, advocating for communities disproportionately affected by climate change and pushing for stronger global commitments at international climate summits. As president, she would likely continue to prioritize climate action, emphasizing the transition to clean energy and addressing environmental justice.
Gun Control
During his presidency, Donald Trump upheld a pro-Second Amendment stance, aligning with the NRA and opposing extensive gun control measures. He supported modest reforms like enhanced background checks and "red flag" laws after mass shootings, but significant federal legislation did not advance.
His administration notably banned bump stocks after the 2017 Las Vegas shooting. After leaving office, Trump continued to advocate for gun rights, criticizing the Biden administration's efforts and maintaining that restrictive laws infringe on the rights of law-abiding citizens while failing to reduce crime.
Kamala has been a strong supporter of strengthening gun control in the country. She oversees the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention and recently announced the establishment of the National Extreme Risk Protection Order Resource Center which helps states enforce their red flag laws. These laws allow courts to temporarily seize firearms from individuals who they believe may be dangerous and a threat to others or themselves. She also helped pass the 2022 Bipartisan Safer Communities which was the first major piece of federal legislation on gun safety passed in decades. As President, Kamala will continue to support measures to create stronger gun control in the nation.
Foreign Policy
During his presidency, Donald Trump's foreign policy was marked by an "America First" approach, prioritizing renegotiated trade agreements like the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement and implementing tariffs on China to address trade imbalances. He challenged NATO allies to increase defense spending, raising concerns about longstanding alliances, while his administration brokered the Abraham Accords to normalize relations between Israel and several Arab nations and adopted a confrontational stance towards Iran by withdrawing from the Iran nuclear deal. Advocating for a reduction in US troop presence abroad, Trump favored a more isolationist strategy alongside a strong military posture. After his presidency, his foreign policy views continued to shape Republican discourse, emphasizing nationalism, skepticism towards multilateralism, and a transactional approach to international relations, with supporters advocating for prioritizing American interests over global commitments.
Continuing the Biden Administration's approach to countering China's growing influence abroad, Harris is likely to combat Chinese activities in the Indo-Pacific and advocate for open and steady communication between the two countries to reduce the risk of conflict. She’s criticized China’s activities in the South China Sea where they’ve been striving to expand their borders and has also voiced support for the Phillipines who has been facing aggression from China. In regards to the Russia-Ukraine War, Kamala has been outspoken about her support for Ukraine and announced in June, 2024 that the U.S. would be giving 1.5 billion dollars worth of aid to the country. Kamala is a very large critic have Putin and continues to speak out about his actions. Regarding the Israel-Hamas War, Kamala has been slightly more critical about Israel’s actions in the war than Biden. Kamala has called for a ceasefire and may be slightly more tough on Israel’s war efforts if elected president, but she is a moderate so it’s likely she won’t sway too far away from the Biden Administration’s policies.
Healthcare
During his presidency, Donald Trump’s healthcare stance focused on repealing the Affordable Care Act (ACA), promoting the idea of “healthcare for all,” but without providing a comprehensive replacement plan. His administration aimed to lower prescription drug prices and expand the availability of short-term health insurance plans. Additionally, Trump emphasized deregulation, advocating for policies that would allow states more control over healthcare programs.
After leaving office, Trump's influence on healthcare remained significant within the Republican Party, with ongoing support for ACA repeal and a focus on reducing drug prices. He continued to advocate for a healthcare system that emphasizes private insurance and competition, while critiquing Democratic proposals for expanded government involvement in healthcare. His legacy includes a polarized debate on healthcare policy, with proponents of his approach favoring market-driven solutions and critics warning of the consequences of reduced access to affordable care.
Kamala is likely to follow Biden’s plans regarding healthcare if she’s elected to be president. During his presidency, Biden has added more drugs to the Medicare drug price negotiation list which will help make prescription drugs more affordable for Americans, extending the $35 cap on insulin copays, and continuing enhanced ACA subsidies which are supposed to expire soon. Experts believe Kamala will try to expand drug-pricing negotiations, which right now are limited to Medicare beneficiaries and certain medications. They also believe she will seek to expand Medicaid and the ACA to bring more health coverage to Americans.
Who Is Kamala Harris’ VP, Tim Walz?
Walz was born in West Point, Nebraska, graduated from Butte High School in 1982. He enlisted in the Army National Guard at 17, serving 24 years. Walz went on to earn a social science degree from Chadron State College in 1989 and a Master of Science in educational leadership from Minnesota State University, Mankato in 2001. He taught in China and on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota before moving to Mankato, Minnesota. Here, he worked as a teacher, a football coach, and for the Army National Guard. Walz retired from field artillery battalion in the Army National Guard in 2005 as command sergeant major, one of the highest military ranks.
The candidate served in Congress for 12 years, focusing on veterans' issues and co-sponsoring bipartisan legislation. His first congressional race was in 2006, where he defeated a Republican incumbent, Gil Gutknecht, in a rural, southern Minnesota congressional district. He championed veterans’ issues during his six terms in the U.S. House. Walz has been a champion of Democratic causes, including union organizing, workers’ rights, and a $15-an-hour minimum wage.
In his first term, Walz faced a Legislature split between a Democratic-led House and a Republican-controlled Senate, but brokered compromises that made the state’s divided government seem productive. In his second term, he defeated Republican Scott Jensen, a physician known nationally as a vaccine skeptic, and gained control of both legislative chambers, clearing the way for a more liberal course in state government.
Walz eliminated nearly all of the state abortion restrictions enacted in the past by Republicans, protected gender-affirming care for transgender youth, and legalized the recreational use of marijuana. Democrats funded free school meals for children, free tuition at public colleges for students in families earning under $80,000 a year, a paid family and medical leave program, and health insurance coverage regardless of a person’s immigration status. Walz has shown a down-to-earth side through social media posts with his daughter, Hope.
Walz has been a strong Kamala supporter for quite some time and could help the ticket in key Midwestern states, such as Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania, where both sides believe they need to win. He’s served as Minnesota governor in 2019, winning re-election in 2022. During his time as Governor, he’s enacted policies like universal school meals, expanded voting rights for incarcerated residents, and gender-affirming care. Walz has emphasized the importance of addressing former President Trump's criminal cases and incendiary comments. He’s also called out JD Vance and many in the GOP for their attack on school curriculums and books. ​​​​​​​​​​​​
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Who Is Donald Trump’s VP, JD Vance?
JD Vance is now the running mate of Donald Trump, yet just 8 years ago he opted to vote for an independent candidate instead of voting for Trump, calling Trump “cultural heroin” and telling CBS that he is “Never a Trump guy”. How did this transformation from anti-Trump, to Trump’s VP pick come to fruition?
Vance rose to the public eye when he released his book Hillbilly Elegy, a memoir about his personal life growing up in the MidWest, and how the downfall of post-Industrial America is due cultural changes in America rather than economic issues, particularly that this new generation of people do not have the same work ethic that Americans once did. Raised in Middletown, Ohio, Vance was raised primarily by his maternal grandparents after his parents split and his mother struggled with drug addiction when he was young. He describes in his book Hillbilly Elegy that his grandparents were “union Democrats”. After graduating high school, Vance enlisted in the Marine Corps in 2003, and served in Iraq as a corporal in the Public Affairs section. After the Marine Corps, he graduated from Ohio State University and began Yale Law School in 2010. Here he met his wife Usha. He graduated from Yale in 2013 with a Juris doctorate, he worked for Republican Senator John Cornyn. He spent time as a law clerk as well as working in private practice after Yale, before moving to San Francisco to work as a venture capitalist where he served as the principal for a firm from 2016 to 2017.
As an open advocate against Trump in the 2016 election, he wrote an opinion piece for The Atlantic in 2016, explaining the “Trump Phenomenon”. He described that Trump talks about massive and important issues to working class Americans including the drug crisis, loss of jobs, and the lack of military charge. To each of these issues, Trump releases a simple and easy explanation that leaves people wondering why other politicians haven’t done the same thing. In the opioid crisis, he promised to cure addiction by building a Mexican border and stopping the cartel from coming through. And people believed him that this would be a quick fix. It makes them feel better, for a bit, but leaves them off much worse.
After Trump was inevitably elected, Vance warmed to the idea of him and began to agree with many of the policies he was enacting. He believed that much of Trump’s character was constructed during the 2016 election, and that he had some policies especially on the border and with the economy that were actually good. In 2020, he voted for Trump and that next year, Vance announced his campaign to represent Ohio in the US Senate. Trump endorsed Vance’s campaign and Vance was elected, partially due to this endorsement.
Vance 8 years ago would scarcely believe the position and place he is in today, yet the Trump Vance campaign is in full swing.
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Policy Areas, Trump & Harris Compare-Contrast​
Tim Walz
JD Vance
Immigration
Vance has stated that we as a country “need to deport every single person who invaded our country illegally." He has blamed immigrants for being the ones who “decimated” the middle class, and believes many of the jobs created under the Biden administration have gone to “foreign laborers”, although this claim has since been proven to not be based in any fact. He has also said that he would support the continuation of building the wall and is against any sort of amnesty to immigrants who are in the US illegally currently.
Walz supports a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants. In a 2021 letter to Democratic leaders in Congress, he urged it for "Dreamers" brought to the US as children, essential workers, people in crisis, and their families. He previously voted for stricter refugee screening but changed his stance when running for governor. Walz denounced his Republican opponent's argument that accepting immigrants without resources threatened Minnesota's fabric of life. He signed a bill last year making undocumented immigrants eligible for Minnesota driver's licenses, arguing it would make roads safer. However, he lacks a clear public record on border-security policies.
Reproductive Rights
He has a very strong pro life stance, previously comparing abortion to slavery. In 2022, he stated that he would like abortion to be banned on a national level, however once becoming Trump’s running mate he sided with Trump stating that this is a state issue. He wants to protect life from conception, and does not believe there should be exceptions to abortion in cases of rape or incest.
He has also made several highly contentious statements about women and marriage, stating that women in abusive relationships should stay in these relationships and that it would be selfish to leave it as it is not in the best interest of their children.
Governor Tim Walz has been a strong advocate for reproductive rights. In 2023, he signed the Protect Reproductive Options (PRO) Act into law, which establishes reproductive health as a fundamental right in Minnesota. This law ensures access to all forms of reproductive health care, including contraception, abortion, and maternity care. Walz has emphasized that the legislation protects the freedom to make personal health care decisions and prevents local governments from restricting access to reproductive health services​.
The Economy
In terms of trade, Vance is supportive of Trump’s trade policies including tariffs on Chinese products. He also believes government intervention is helpful in economics in order to keep American jobs in America, and stimulate growth here through taxes and tariffs.
Along with Minnesota's Democratic legislative majorities, Walz has implemented progressive economic policies, including free college tuition, free meals, and paid medical and family leave. His budgets have also provided tax rebates for low- and middle-income Minnesotans, funded a child tax credit for low-income families, and increased gas and investment income taxes for wealthy taxpayers. In 2020, he signed a bipartisan measure for $1.9 billion in bond funding for local construction projects. In 2023, he approved an additional $2.6 billion in infrastructure spending.
LGBTQ+ Rights
JD Vance is staunchly against trans youth having any sort of gender affirming care. He co-sponsored a bill in the Senate that would put a nationwide block on gender affirming care for minors, and any healthcare professional found to break this law could be punished with up to ten years in prison. The law also stipulated that institutions of higher education could not provide information on gender affirming care and it would cut healthcare plans that cover this treatment.
He also introduced a bill that would remove the gender X from U.S. passports
As a former representative of a rural district in Minnesota in Congress, Walz has a pro-gun rights record that earned him "A" ratings from the National Rifle Association and the group's endorsement. As a congressman, Walz voted in favor of legislation that made it easier for veterans deemed "mentally incompetent" to own guns and restricted gun control measures in Washington, D.C. Walz also sponsored a bill that expanded hunting and recreational shooting access. After the 2018 shooting in Parkland, Florida, Walz came out in favor of stricter gun measures in a Minneapolis Star-Tribune op-ed, stating the NRA was "the biggest single obstacle to passing the most basic measures to prevent gun violence in America." Walz has pushed gun control reforms as governor, signing a suite of measures into law in 2023 including universal background checks and "red flag" rules that make it easier to take guns away from people who are at higher risk of injuring themselves or others.
Climate Change
Vance’s change up on his opinion on Trump is not the only thing that he has changed his opinion of in recent years. Vance used to hail solar energy and that we need to have a movement away from oil use and towards a cleaner energy environment. However two years later in 2022, he expressed that he wasn’t sure if climate change was purely due to humans as there has been changes in the climate for over a millenia. This statement however is simply not backed in science, as the types of changes we are seeing in the climate are happening at a rate that is incomparable to previous shifts in the climate.
Walz’s gubernatorial administration has set a goal to rely on 100% renewable electricity by 2040, prioritizing renewable energy facilities in communities with fossil-fuel plants. He aims for electric vehicles to account for 20% of cars on Minnesota roads by 2030 and net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. His administration has adopted stricter limits on tailpipe emissions, requiring auto manufacturers to produce more electric or hybrid vehicles or improve fuel efficiency. He recently announced a $200 million grant from the Environmental Protection Agency to reduce emissions in the food system. Walz believes in creating a clean energy future that protects water, land, and the economy while promoting climate issues.
Welfare & Social Security
Trump's administration prioritized deregulation and energy independence, often at the expense of environmental protections. In 2017, Trump announced the U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement, arguing that it was unfair to the U.S. economy. His administration rolled back numerous environmental regulations, including those related to emissions standards and protected lands, to promote fossil fuel production and economic growth. Since leaving office, Trump remains skeptical of the urgency of climate change and has criticized the Biden administration's climate policies as harmful to the economy. He has pledged to reverse regulations that he views as detrimental to the energy sector, particularly those affecting fossil fuels. Trump's 2024 platform emphasizes energy independence and the expansion of oil, gas, and coal production.
Kamala Harris has a strong track record of advocating for climate action and combating the climate crisis. She co-sponsored the Green New Deal, which focuses on transitioning to renewable energy and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. During her 2019 presidential campaign, Harris proposed a $10 trillion plan to curb emissions, including initiatives like a climate pollution fee. As Vice President, she announced a $3 billion U.S. contribution to the Green Climate Fund and supported the implementation of the Inflation Reduction Act, which invests in clean energy and emissions reduction. Harris also emphasizes environmental justice, advocating for communities disproportionately affected by climate change and pushing for stronger global commitments at international climate summits. As president, she would likely continue to prioritize climate action, emphasizing the transition to clean energy and addressing environmental justice.
Gun Control
During his presidency, Donald Trump upheld a pro-Second Amendment stance, aligning with the NRA and opposing extensive gun control measures. He supported modest reforms like enhanced background checks and "red flag" laws after mass shootings, but significant federal legislation did not advance.
Vance is very vocal about his protection of gun rights, and voted consistently in the Senate to block any bills that infringed on these rights. He has been a gun owner himself and believes in the right to bear arms and that this is a right that needs to be protected.
As a former representative of a rural district in Minnesota in Congress, Walz has a pro-gun rights record that earned him "A" ratings from the National Rifle Association and the group's endorsement. As a congressman, Walz voted in favor of legislation that made it easier for veterans deemed "mentally incompetent" to own guns and restricted gun control measures in Washington, D.C. Walz also sponsored a bill that expanded hunting and recreational shooting access. After the 2018 shooting in Parkland, Florida, Walz came out in favor of stricter gun measures in a Minneapolis Star-Tribune op-ed, stating the NRA was "the biggest single obstacle to passing the most basic measures to prevent gun violence in America." Walz has pushed gun control reforms as governor, signing a suite of measures into law in 2023 including universal background checks and "red flag" rules that make it easier to take guns away from people who are at higher risk of injuring themselves or others.
Foreign Policy
Regarding the Israeli-Palestinian war, Vance has consistently been in support of Israel, and has advocated for an increase in military aid to Israel. When a bill that involved sending aid to both Ukraine and Israel was being discussed in the Senate, Vance stated that he would like the bill to send the money entirely to Israel, cutting Ukraine out.
Vance has been one of the leaders against the US involvement in the Ukraine, Russian war, stating in an interview with Steve Bannon that he doesn’t “really care what happens to Ukraine one way or the other.” He has voted against any sort of military aid package that has gone through the Senate to be sent to Ukraine.
Harris chose Walz over Shapiro, believing he was favored by progressives and labor organizations due to his military and public service background. Heeding warnings that Shapiro's controversial stance on Gaza protests could fracture party unity, Harris opted for Walz, who has shown greater respect for antiwar demonstrators and acknowledged the significant "uncommitted" vote in Minnesota's Democratic primary opposing Biden's Gaza policy.
Walz, a former House member, brings foreign policy experience, having opposed the Iraq war and military actions in Syria, and co-sponsored war powers resolutions regarding U.S. involvement in Yemen. He has consistently supported a two-state solution in Israel-Palestine and U.S. diplomatic efforts like the JCPOA. Walz's addition to the ticket provides Harris with a seasoned running mate with strong antiwar credentials.
