Kamala Harris' 1st interview as Democrat prez candidate: From economy to Trump to Israel, here's what she said

In her first interview since being nominated as the presidential candidate for the Democratic party, Kamala Harris, alongside her VP pick, Tim Walz, reiterated that she would not change Biden's policy on arms for Israel.

Harris said she remains "unequivocal and unwavering” in her “commitment to Israel’s defence and its ability to defend itself” while adding: "That's not gonna change."

She says “far too many innocent Palestinians have been killed”, and that “we have got to get a deal done”.

"This war must end, and we must get a deal that is about getting the hostages out."

On Trump

Asked about Donald Trump questioning her racial identity, Harris shrugged it off saying it was part of the "same old tired playbook" and urged the CNN interviewerto move to the next segment.

Notably, it was last month that Trump questioned Harris' race during a panel hosted by theNational Association of Black Journalists (NABJ).

“She was always of Indian heritage, and she was only promoting Indian heritage. I didn’t know she was Black until a number of years ago when she happened to turn Black," said Trump.

Harris' stance on various policies

Quizzed what she would do on her first day in the office, if elected, Harris did not list any specific steps, like signing executive actions or orders.

"Day one, it’s going to be about one, implementing my plan for what I call an opportunity economy. I’ve already laid out a number of proposals in that regard, which include what we’re going to do to bring down the cost of everyday goods, what we’re going to do to invest in America’s small businesses, what we’re going to do to invest in families.”

As for her reversals on fracking and decriminalising illegal border crossings, Harris said her 'values' had not changed.

“I think the most important and most significant aspect of my policy perspective and decisions is my values have not changed,” she said.

“You mentioned the Green New Deal. I have always believed – and I have worked on it – that the climate crisis is real, that it is an urgent matter to which we should apply metrics that include holding ourselves to deadlines around time.”

Appoint a Republican in cabinet

Harris said she was not against the idea of appointing a Republican in her cabinet as she believed in 'diversity of opinion'.

"I think it’s really important. I have spent my career inviting diversity of opinion. I think it’s important to have people at the table when some of the most important decisions are being made that have different views, different experiences," said Harris.

"And I think it would be to the benefit of the American public to have a member of my cabinet who was a Republican," she added.

Harris also revealed that she learned about Biden stepping away from the prez race when she was with her family and just had pancakes and bacon.

Questioned whether she asked for Biden’s endorsement, Harris said the president “was very clear that he was going to support me”.

(With inputs from agencies)