Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN) stirred controversy by calling Vice President Kamala Harris a “DEI hire” and questioning why “white females” were not considered for her role. Burchett criticized President Joe Biden for promising to choose a woman as his running mate and ultimately selecting Harris, a Black woman, as his vice president.
In an interview with CNN correspondent Manu Raju, Burchett labeled Harris as a “DEI hire” due to her racial background and claimed that her record was lacking. This racially charged criticism is part of a pattern of attacks against Harris by right-wing figures.
The term “DEI” has been used as a smear against Harris, with some accusing her of being unqualified for her position. The attacks on Harris have also included claims about her citizenship, with individuals like former Trump lawyer John Eastman resurrecting the debunked “birther” conspiracy theory.
These attacks on Harris highlight the continued racial and sexist biases present in American politics, as prominent figures engage in baseless and discriminatory smears against the vice president.