Kamala Harris news: Trump complains VP pick was 'mean' to Brett Kavanaugh as president's donations to her campaign resurface
Live updates as Joe Biden selects California senator as his running mate
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Joe Biden has selected California senator and former state attorney general Kamala Harris as his running mate, the first black woman to run as vice president on a major political party’s ticket.
The Trump campaign swiftly reacted to the announcement, lashing out at the senator by calling her “phoney” and claiming she will “abandon her own morals”. Donald Trump echoed his campaign rhetoric from the White House, where he falsely portrayed her as a far-left senator despite her prosecutorial record.
Several US officials have congratulated the senator, with former president Barack Obama declaring that she is "more than prepared for the job" as the Democrats prepare for next week's nominating convention, which the former vice president is expected to receive the party's nomination to face the incumbent in November.
In a statement, the senator said: "Joe Biden can unify the American people because he's spent his life fighting for us. And as president, he'll build an America that lives up to our ideals. I'm honoured to join him as our party's nominee for Vice President, and do what it takes to make him our Commander-in-Chief."
But the announcement revived criticism against the senator, who had left the Democratic presidential race at the end of 2019, as she faced scrutiny for her role as a "top cop" attorney general in an era of "progressive" prosecution. The latest wave of criticism arrives in the wake of widespread demonstrations demanding an end to police abuse.
The candidates are expected to hold an event from Delaware on Wednesday to discuss "working together to restore the soul of the nation and fight for working families to move the country forward."
In an email to supporters, the former vice president said: "I need someone working alongside me who is smart, tough, and ready to lead. Kamala is that person."
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The veepstakes have come to an end: Joe Biden has selected California senator and former state attorney general Kamala Harris as his running mate, the first black woman to run as vice president on a major political party's ticket.
Trump instantly lashes out at Kamala Harris as Joe Biden announces her for VP pick
The Trump campaign quickly responded to Joe Biden selecting California Democratic Senator Kamala Harris as his running mate, describing her as "phony" and predicting she will prove to be the former vice president's "political living will."
"Clearly, Phony Kamala will abandon her own morals, as well as try to bury her record as a prosecutor, in order to appease the anti-police extremists controlling the Democrat Party," the campaign said in a statement. "Joe Biden is no moderate, and with Harris as his 'political living will,' he is surrendering control of our nation to the radical mob with promises to raise taxes, cut police funding, kill energy jobs, open our borders, and appease socialist dictators."
The president is expected to speak at 5.30.
Former second lady to potential future second husband: "Are you ready?"
Jill Biden, Joe Biden's wife and former second lady of the US, has reached out Kamala Harris's husband, who – if the candidates are elected – would be the nation's first ever second husband.
Photo captures Joe Biden selecting Kamala Harris as VP pick
Because it's 2020, it appears to have been done over Zoom.
Obama weighs in: 'This is a good day for our country. Now let’s go win this thing'
Former president Barack Obama says Kamala Harris is "more than prepared" for the role of vice president, handing Joe Biden the "ideal partner to tackle the very real challenges America faces right now and in the years ahead."
Bernie Sanders: Harris 'understands what it takes to stand up for working people, fight for health care for all, and take down the most corrupt administration in history'
Bernie Sanders, Kamala Harris' colleague in the Senate and a former presidential campaign trail rival, has congratulated the California senator selected as Joe Biden's running mate.
Progressives have criticised Harris for her record as a prosecutor and "top cop" while promoting incremental reforms following widespread protests against police brutality.
Joe Biden told us long ago he would pick Kamala Harris – now we know why
In the end, Joe Biden, mindful of his 78th birthday in November, did exactly what he said he would by picking the running mate he felt was best-suited to take over as president.
The every-four-years drama known as the "Veepstakes" literally decides who would become one major health issue or non-existent heartbeat away from becoming the leader of the free world. Mr Biden would be 78 years old when he would be sworn in, if he can hold his leads over Donald Trump nationally and in key swing states.
Enter Kamala Harris.
The Independent's Washington chief John T Bennett breaks down the pick:
How the former prosecutor who skewered Biden in the debates built her career on being first
Kamala Harris is first woman of colour to run as vice president on a major political party's presidential ticket.
If she and former Vice President Joe Biden, who is running against Donald Trump for the presidency, were to win come November, Ms Harris would become the first woman and first person of colour to hold that position.
Danielle Zoellner profiles the senator's career of firsts:
Trump calls Harris a liar and 'very, very nasty' to Joe Biden
Following the Trump campaign's immediate attack ad against Kamala Harris after Joe Biden's announcement, the president – asked about her record during a White House briefing – said "she lied" and "she said things that are untrue."
A reporter asked for his comments about her record as a prosecutor on marijuana arrests years before she joked about marijuana during a recent interview on The Breakfast Club as she sought the party's nomination.
"She is a person who told many, many stories that are untrue," he said.
He also said she was "very, very nasty" and "disrespectful" to Biden during the campaign.
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