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

Kamala Harris endorses Joe Biden for president

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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Key Points

• Obama weighs in: 'This is a good day for our country'
• Trump campaign immediately lashes out 
• Joe Biden selects Kamala Harris as running mate

[12 August 2020 22:33 · Oliver O'Connell]

Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden listens as his running mate Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., speaks during a campaign event at Alexis Dupont High School in Wilmington, Delaware. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

[12 August 2020 22:34 · Oliver O'Connell]

We need more than a victory, we need a mandate, says Harris.

[12 August 2020 22:34 · Oliver O'Connell]

Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden speaks during a campaign event with his running mate Senator Kamala Harris, at Alexis Dupont High School in Wilmington, Delaware. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

[12 August 2020 22:36 · Oliver O'Connell]

Harris called for a coalition of conscience against Donald Trump. 

Biden has said this is a fight for the soul of the nation.

[12 August 2020 22:40 · Oliver O'Connell]

[12 August 2020 22:48 · Oliver O'Connell]

Lacking the crowds and fanfare associated with other campaigns, this was still an effective way to frame the ticket.

Passionately told stories that differ in detail, but are similar in the essentials, tied together by a determination to take the fight to the Trump-Pence ticket.

The tone was positive, humanising, and inspirational. The atmosphere, necessarily intimate,  proved effective for both speakers — cutting though to issues that are on people's minds right now.

[12 August 2020 22:51 · Oliver O'Connell]

That's all for our live coverage of the Biden-Harris campaign today. 

Please stay tuned to The Independent for the latest news and analysis on the 2020 election.