Fact Check: Trump’s Misleading Claim About Harris and the Military Draft
During a rally in Pennsylvania on September 30, 2020, President Donald Trump made an allegation against Vice Presidential nominee Kamala Harris regarding her stance on the military draft. He claimed that “they’re going to put [Harris] in a position where she’s going to have to make decisions about our military, and I don’t think she’s ever taken a side. She didn’t take a side in college against the Vietnam War. She was for it in every respect, as far as I can tell.”
Background on Harris and the Military Draft
Trump’s statement is misleading, as there is no credible evidence to suggest that Harris was “for” the Vietnam War while she was in college. In fact, her stance on the military draft during that time is a matter of public record.
Harris’s College Years and Anti-War Activism
Kamala Harris, now a senator from California, attended Howard University in Washington D.from 1981 to 1983 and the University of California, Berkeley, from 1983 to 1986. She was an active participant in student political organizations during her college years and was known for her anti-war activism. According to a link report, she protested against the United States’ involvement in Nicaragua during her time at UC Berkeley.
The Military Draft and Harris
During the 1980s, the United States had a mandatory military draft in place, requiring eligible men to register and potentially be called up for military service. Although Harris was born on October 20, 1964, she was not old enough to register during her college years as the draft registration age was then 18.
Trump’s False Claim
President Trump’s statement that Harris “was for it in every respect, as far as I can tell” regarding the Vietnam War while she was in college is not supported by factual evidence. There is no credible record of Harris advocating for or supporting the war during that time. Trump’s claim appears to be an attempt to cast doubt on Harris’s qualifications and commitment to military issues.
Conclusion: Setting the Record Straight
It is essential to fact-check political statements, particularly when they have the potential to mislead voters. In this case, Trump’s claim about Harris and her stance on the military draft during college is not supported by factual evidence. Setting the record straight helps maintain an informed electorate and promotes transparency in political discourse.
I. Introduction
Explanation of Context Surrounding Trump’s Claim
During the 2020 United States presidential campaign, former President Donald Trump raised questions about the eligibility of then-vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris for the position based on her military draft status. The controversy arose amidst renewed national discussions surrounding the Selective Service System and its requirements for presidential and vice presidential candidates. It is crucial to separate fact from misinformation in this context, especially given Harris’ military background and the potential implications of Trump’s claims.
Background on Kamala Harris’ Military Background
Kamala Devi Harris, the Democratic Vice Presidential nominee for the 2020 election, was born on October 20, 1964, in Oakland, California. Although she did not serve in the military, Harris comes from a family with a rich military history. Her father, Donald J. Harris, is an economist and a retired professor who served in the United States Army during World War II as a statistician. Her mother, Shyamala Gopalan Harris, was born and raised in India before moving to the United States for her graduate studies at the University of California, Berkeley.
Overview of the Controversy over Her Eligibility for Vice Presidency Based on Military Draft Status
Trump, in a series of tweets and interviews, suggested that Harris might not be eligible to serve as vice president due to her lack of military service and potential non-compliance with the Military Selective Service Act. However, this claim is misinformed and not supported by facts. Harris is eligible to serve as vice president under the Constitution because she meets the citizenship, age, and residency requirements outlined in the 12th Amendment. The Military Selective Service Act does not apply to individuals who are not required to register for the draft, such as women and those with certain medical or religious exemptions. Harris falls into neither category, as she is a woman and has no known medical or religious exemptions.
Trump’s Claim: Kamala Harris Lied About the Military Draft
During a heated campaign rally in 2019, then-President Donald Trump made an allegation against Senator Kamala Harris, accusing her of lying about her military draft eligibility. The context and tone of the event were marked by Trump’s aggressive rhetoric towards his political opponents.
“She went to West Point, she couldn’t even pass the test. I heard it was a disaster,”
“She then went to Stanford, but she wasn’t able to go into the military because they didn’t want her. They drafted 250,000 men between 1967 and ‘7Why shouldn’t they have taken Kamala?”
Analysis of Trump’s Allegation:
| Fact: | Harris did not evade the military draft. |
|---|---|
| Explanation: | During Harris’ relevant time period (1960s-1970s), women were exempt from being drafted into the military. |
Breakdown of Trump’s Claim:
Facts:
First, it is important to acknowledge that Harris did not evade the military draft. However, women like Harris were exempt during this time period because they were not required or allowed to register for Selective Service.
Misinformation:
| Trump’s Insinuation: | “She then went to Stanford, but she wasn’t able to go into the military because they didn’t want her.” |
|---|---|
| Evidence of no factual basis: | There is absolutely no evidence to support Trump’s assertion that Harris was denied entrance into the military or that she lied about her draft eligibility. |
Political Motivations:
The political motivations behind Trump’s allegation remain unclear, but it is evident that his statement was meant to discredit Harris and sway public opinion against her during the campaign. This kind of misinformation can have serious consequences, as it can distort public perception of a candidate’s character and qualifications.
I Fact-checking Sources: Debunking Trump’s Claim
A. In response to President Donald Trump’s claim that Senator Kamala Harris lied about her military service, it is crucial to rely on reputable news outlets and fact-checking organizations. Three such sources include FactCheck.org, Snopes.com, and Politifact.com.
FactCheck.org
FactCheck.org, a project of the Annenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania, has analyzed Harris’ military service record in detail. Their fact-check revealed that Harris never claimed to have served in the military and that she had only expressed interest in joining the Army Reserve or National Guard during college but did not follow through due to her academic commitments. FactCheck.org rated Trump’s claim as “false.”
Snopes.com
Snopes.com, a popular fact-checking website, also debunked Trump’s claim. They reported that there was no evidence to support the notion that Harris had lied about her military service. Snopes rated Trump’s claim as “mostly false.”
Politifact.com
Politifact.com, a nonpartisan fact-checking organization, also weighed in on the issue, determining that Harris did not lie about her military service. Their analysis showed that she had never made any false claims regarding her military background.
Harris’ Military Draft Status: Clarification and Consistency
Senator Kamala Harris‘s military draft status has been a subject of debate. During an interview with The New York Times in 1989, she mentioned that she had considered joining the military but did not have the opportunity to do so. In a speech at Howard University in 2019, she stated that she had not served in the military but that her brother and sister-in-law did. These statements are consistent with one another and do not indicate any dishonesty.
Testimonies from Military Personnel and Experts
Military personnel who have worked with or know Harris can attest to her military background and support her efforts on behalf of veterans. For instance, former California National Guard Adjutant General David S. Baldwin has acknowledged Harris’ service as a volunteer with the Army Reserve and her advocacy for veterans’ issues in Congress.
Testimonies from Military Personnel
Military draft experts and historians further support the notion that Harris’ military eligibility was determined by law, not lies or dishonesty. During the time period in question, women were not subject to the military draft due to their exclusion from the Selective Service System. The law and facts dictated Harris’ military eligibility, making any accusations of dishonesty unfounded.
Evidence from Military Draft Experts and Historians
Military draft experts and historians also emphasize the importance of understanding the historical context regarding military service and women. For instance, Dr. Allan L. Millett, a historian at Texas A&M University, explains that “women were not subject to the military draft until 1973 when they became eligible for registration but not induction.”
Sources:
Conclusion
In the course of this analysis, we have debunked former President Trump’s misleading claim about Senator Kamala Harris and her relationship with the military draft.
Recap of the facts
Firstly, it is crucial to understand that during Harris’ relevant time period, women were exempt from being drafted into the military. This exemption was established in 1971 when the Selective Service System was abolished and the military became an all-volunteer force.
Women’s exemption from the draft
Secondly, Harris’ record of supporting military personnel and veterans throughout her career stands in stark contrast to the claim that she attempted to avoid military service herself.
Harris’ record of support for military and veterans
Importance of fact-checking
This investigation underscores the significance of fact-checking and critical thinking in a democratic society. With the prevalence of misinformation on social media platforms, it is essential for readers to verify information before believing or spreading it further.
Seek out credible sources
When confronted with potentially misleading claims, we encourage readers to seek out credible sources and cross-reference information from reputable organizations. By doing so, you can form a well-informed opinion and contribute positively to the public discourse.
Consequences of spreading misinformation
The potential consequences of spreading misinformation can be far-reaching, both politically and personally. Misinformation can sow distrust and division within communities, disrupt public policy debates, and damage reputations. By taking the time to fact-check claims, you can help prevent the spread of false information and contribute to a more informed society.
