Kamala Harris Calls US System 'Broken' In First Post-Election Interview With Stephen Colbert
Kamala Harris has put an end to growing speculation regarding her potential candidacy in the 2026 California gubernatorial race. In an official statement released on July 30, Harris made it clear that she will not be running for governor. Her decision sparked fresh debate about whether she might instead be preparing for a presidential bid in 2028. However, Harris put those rumours to rest during her recent appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on Thursday night, where she opened up about US democracy and her political future.
Addressing the growing buzz around her intentions, Harris was unequivocal. When asked about her political plans going forward, she stated plainly, 'No. I don't want to go back in the system. I think it's broken." Her blunt assessment of the current state of American democracy caught the attention of both the public and Colbert, who expressed concern at hearing such a statement from someone so deeply involved in government. Harris elaborated on her position, saying, 'I always believed that as fragile as our democracy is, our systems would be strong enough to defend our most fundamental principles. And I think, right now, that they're not as strong as they need to be."
While Harris expressed disillusionment with the system, she was careful not to suggest disengagement from political life. 'I am always going to be part of the fight," she emphasised, suggesting that her commitment to democratic values and public service remains, even if she does not plan to seek elected office in the near future.
This marked Harris' first televised interview since her defeat to Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election. Reflecting on that outcome, she admitted, 'I didn't predict that; I did not see that coming," particularly referencing the extent of political capitulation that followed Trump's return to power.
Harris also took a moment to commend former President Joe Biden. 'I have an incredible amount of respect for him. We had a President who believed in the rule of law, who believed in the importance of aspiring to have integrity, and to do the work on behalf of the people," she said.
Harris' appearance on The Late Show coincided with another major announcement: the upcoming release of her memoir, 107 Days, which chronicles her experience during the 2024 presidential campaign. In an Instagram post revealing the book, she wrote, 'Behind every speech I gave, hand I shook, and story I told on the road, there were deeper layers, quiet reflections, and lessons learned."
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Kamala Harris (@kamalaharris)
The full interview was posted online on Thursday on the YouTube channel for the show.
tags :
donald trump kamala harris The Late Show with Stephen Colbert US Election 2024
view comments
Location :
New York, United States of America (USA)
First Published:
August 01, 2025, 17:36 IST
News world Kamala Harris Calls US System 'Broken' In First Post-Election Interview With Stephen Colbert
Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
2 minutes ago
- The Hindu
U.S. envoy Witkoff to visit Moscow ahead of sanctions deadline
U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff will meet on Wednesday (August 6, 2025) with the Russian leadership in Moscow as President Donald Trump's deadline to impose fresh sanctions over Russia's war in Ukraine looms. Mr. Trump has given Russia until Friday (August 8, 2025) to halt its offensive in Ukraine or face new penalties. The White House has not outlined specific actions it plans to take on Friday (August 8, 2025), but Mr. Trump has previously threatened to impose 'secondary tariffs' targeting Russia's remaining trade partners, such as China and India. The move would aim to stifle Russian exports but would risk significant international disruption. Mr. Trump said on Tuesday (August 5, 2025) that he would await the outcome of the Moscow talks before moving forward with any economic retaliation. 'We're going to see what happens,' he told reporters. 'We'll make that determination at that time.' An American source did not specify if the meetings will include Russian President Vladimir Putin, whom Mr. Witkoff has met with several times previously. Despite pressure from Washington, Russia has continued its onslaught against its pro-Western neighbour. Three rounds of peace talk in Istanbul have failed to make headway on a possible ceasefire, with the two sides appearing as far apart as ever. Moscow has demanded that Ukraine cede more territory and renounce Western support. Kyiv is calling for an immediate ceasefire, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy last week urged his allies to push for 'regime change' in Moscow. Nuclear rhetoric In recent weeks, Mr. Trump has increasingly voiced frustration with Mr. Putin over Moscow's unrelenting offensive. When reporters asked Mr. Trump on Monday (August 4, 2025) what Mr. Witkoff's message would be to Moscow, and if there was anything Russia could do to avoid the sanctions, Mr. Trump replied, 'Yeah, get a deal where people stop getting killed.' Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Monday (August 4, 2025) it considered the talks with Mr. Witkoff to be 'important, substantial and helpful' and valued U.S. efforts to end the conflict. Mr. Putin, who has consistently rejected calls for a ceasefire, said on Friday (August 1, 2025) that he wants peace but that his demands for ending his nearly three-and-a-half-year offensive were unchanged. Russia has frequently called on Ukraine to effectively cede control of four regions Moscow claims to have annexed, a demand Kyiv has called unacceptable. Mr. Putin also wants Ukraine to drop its ambitions to join NATO. The visit comes after Mr. Trump said that two nuclear submarines he deployed following an online row with former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev were now 'in the region.' Mr. Trump has not said whether he meant nuclear-powered or nuclear-armed submarines. He also did not elaborate on the exact deployment locations, which are kept secret by the U.S. military. Russia, in its first comments on the deployment, urged 'caution' on Monday (August 4, 2025). 'Russia is very attentive to the topic of nuclear non-proliferation. And we believe that everyone should be very, very cautious with nuclear rhetoric,' the Kremlin's Peskov said.
Hindustan Times
2 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Number Theory: Trump's hypocrisy on Russia‑India oil trade, detailed in 3 charts
Five days after he threatened India of additional tariffs over the already announced 25 % for its trade with Russia, Donald Trump accused India of financing the 'Russian War Machine' by importing Russian crude oil. Here are three charts which expose Trump's rank hypocrisy and a selfish interest in threatening India over its Russian energy imports. US President Donald Trump at the White House in Washington, DC, on August 5, 2025. (REUTERS) 1. China, not India, is the biggest importer of Russian crude since the Ukraine war The Russia‑Ukraine war started in February 2022. Russian oil exports to the European Union, thanks to the action, fell sharply from 3.5 million barrels per day in 2021 to 3.1, 0.6 and just 0.4 million barrels per day in 2022, 2023 and 2024. Russia's overall oil exports, however, fell very little over this time, thanks to an increase in imports from China and India. International Energy Agency (IEA) data also shows that Chinese imports of Russian oil have exceeded India's in every year since 2022. However, Trump has said nothing about Chinese imports of Russian oil so far. His current threats of 30 % on China could very well fall behind India's if he imposes a penalty of more than 5 % on India because of Russian trade. Trump's grandstanding about India financing the 'Russian War Machine' while ignoring China's greater financing of it is most likely driven by his concerns about American and European 'war machines' rather than the Russian one. On August 3, the Wall Street Journal reported that 'China is limiting the flow of critical minerals to Western defence manufacturers, delaying production and forcing companies to scour the world for stockpiles of the minerals needed to make everything from bullets to jet fighters.'
Time of India
14 minutes ago
- Time of India
Nicholas Kent sworn in as US Under Secretary of Education: A closer look at his academic and policy trajectory
Image credit: Nicholas Kent has officially assumed office as the US Under Secretary of Education, following Senate confirmation and a formal swearing-in ceremony. The role places him at the center of federal policymaking on postsecondary education, student aid, and workforce alignment at a time of renewed debate over the future of American higher education. Kent's elevation to the Department of Education's third-highest post marks a critical appointment by the Trump administration as it looks to reassert conservative priorities in education policy. He is expected to take a leading role in overseeing initiatives related to career pathways, short-term credential programmes, and institutional accountability. Known for his work on regulatory reform and workforce alignment, Kent has built a reputation as a pragmatic policy strategist with experience spanning both federal and state education systems. Education and early academic foundations A first-generation college graduate, Nicholas Kent holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from West Virginia Wesleyan College. He later earned a Master of Arts in Education and Human Development from The George Washington University, a programme that emphasizes policy design, data use, and systemic school improvement. His academic path helped lay the foundation for his interest in bridging education with labor market outcomes. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Discover the AI-powered language app that's changing how everyone learns Talkpal AI Undo Kent has often spoken about the importance of access and equity in postsecondary education, themes that have underpinned much of his policy work. A career rooted in education reform Before joining the Department of Education, Kent served as Virginia's Deputy Secretary of Education under Governor Glenn Youngkin. In that role, he was responsible for advancing K–12 and higher education reforms across the state, with a focus on career-connected learning and outcome-driven funding models. His earlier tenure as Chief Policy Officer at Career Education Colleges and Universities (CECU) placed him at the intersection of federal policy and institutional practice. While at CECU, Kent advocated for regulatory frameworks that support alternative education providers and workforce-focused credentials. He also held a senior post at the District of Columbia's Office of the State Superintendent of Education, where he managed data systems and research initiatives tied to student performance and accountability. What lies ahead As Under Secretary, Kent will be tasked with steering federal efforts around student financial aid, accreditation, and the interface between higher education and employment. He joins the Department at a time of significant political attention to cost transparency, institutional effectiveness, and the value of postsecondary credentials. With a blend of academic training and policy experience, Kent's leadership is likely to shape how the federal government addresses questions of quality, access, and return on investment in higher education. Ready to navigate global policies? Secure your overseas future. Get expert guidance now!
