Social media users praised 2020 candidate Tulsi Gabbard on Wednesday night for "pummeling" Senator Kamala Harris over her prosecutor's record, with some claiming her remarks were far stronger than any that former vice president Joe Biden has attempted on the senator.
During the second night of round two of the Democratic presidential debates on Wednesday night, Gabbard, the first Samoan American in Congress, attacked Harris, who previously served as the District Attorney of San Francisco from 2004 to 2011 and Attorney General of California from 2011 until 2017.
"Senator Harris says she's proud of her record as a prosecutor and that she'll be a prosecutor president, but I'm deeply concerned about this record," Gabbard said. "There are too many examples to cite but she put over 1,500 people in jail for marijuana violations and then laughed about it when she was asked if she ever smoked marijuana. "
"She blocked evidence that would have freed an innocent man from death row until the courts forced her to do so," Gabbard continued, "she kept people in prison beyond their sentences to use them as cheap labor for the state of California."
She added: "And she fought to keep cash bail system in place that impacts poor people in the worst kind of way."
Gabbard slams Harris's record as a prosecutor: "She put over 1,500 people in jail for marijuana violations and then laughed about it when she was asked if she ever smoked marijuana." #DemDebate pic.twitter.com/L9mPxylRXp — IJR (@TheIJR) August 1, 2019
Following her remarks, social media immediately exploded with Americans praising the Hawaii congresswoman's criticisms of Harris. Minutes after the incident, Gabbard trended on Twitter at sixth place. Harris was also the fourth most trending topic on Twitter.
The graphic below, provided by Statista, illustrates the spike in Google search traffic for Gabbard during the debate.
"Tulsi Gabbard pummeling Kamala Harris right now on her record as Attorney General of California," Fox News contributor Katie Pavlich tweeted.
"When Tulsi Gabbard brought out receipts on Kamala Harris #DemDebate2," Nicole Perez tweeted.
When Tulsi Gabbard brought out receipts on Kamala Harris #DemDebate2 pic.twitter.com/glfzveNaYY — Nicole Perez (@nicole_perez1) August 1, 2019
"Biden unlocked the door on Harris's record, and Gabbard just kicked it down," author Tom Nichols tweeted.
Biden unlocked the door on Harris's record, and Gabbard just kicked it down.#DemDebate2 — Tom Nichols (@RadioFreeTom) August 1, 2019
"Tulsi was prepared to discuss Kamala's record. I like Kamala but she did not answer/respond to any of the issues about her record," Twitter user @deray wrote.
Tulsi was prepared to discuss Kamala's record. I like Kamala but she did not answer/respond to any of the issues about her record. #DemDebate2 — deray (@deray) August 1, 2019
"Gabbard just did to Harris for Biden what Christine did to Rubio for Trump," Nichols added in a second tweet.
Gabbard just did to Harris for Biden what Christie did to Rubio for Trump.#DemDebate2 — Tom Nichols (@RadioFreeTom) August 1, 2019
"Tulsi, you're doing great honey," Twitter user @MalikAshante wrote. "The ONLY person on the stage that pressed Kamala on her horrible record as SA."
Tulsi, youâre doing great honey. The ONLY person on the stage that pressed Kamala on her horrible record as SA. #demdebate #DemDebate2 pic.twitter.com/LeuP7GBHUj — Malik (@MalikAshante) August 1, 2019
"Good for Gabbard for going after Harris on Harris' awful record as a prosecutor. I'm not Gabbard fan but everything she's saying right now about Harris is TRUE," Al Jazeera host Mehdi Hasan tweeted.
Good for Gabbard for going after Harris on Harris's awful record as a prosecutor. I'm no Gabbard fan but everything she's saying right now about Harris is TRUE. #DemDebate2 — Mehdi Hasan (@mehdirhasan) August 1, 2019
"RIP to Kamala Harris's campaign campaign. Killed on July 31, 2019 by Tulsi Gabbard. #DemDebate," political commentator Ryan Fournier tweeted.
RIP to Kamala Harrisâs campaign campaign.
Killed on July 31, 2019 by Tulsi Gabbard.#DemDebate — Ryan Fournier (@RyanAFournier) August 1, 2019
"Tulsi Gabbard is correct about Kamala Harris and her prosecutor's record; it is all true. Sen. Harris can't talk her way out of that and she is not challenging Gabbard's claims," reporter Terrell J. Starr tweeted. "Because she can't."
Tulsi Gabbard is correct about Kamala Harris and her prosecutor's record; it is all true. Sen. Harris can't talk her way out of that and she is not challenging Gabbard's claims.
Because she can't. #DemDebate2 — Terrell J. Starr (@Russian_Starr) August 1, 2019
"Actual picture of Kamala Harris' heart breaking after Tulsi Gabbard destroyed her tonight #DemDebate #DemDebate2," Twitter user @cdolbs wrote, alongside a picture of Simpsons characters, Lisa and Ralph.
Actual picture of Kamala Harris' heart breaking after Tulsi Gabbard destroyed her tonight #DemDebate #DemDebate2 pic.twitter.com/467lhi5awV — Chad (@cdolbs) August 1, 2019
This article was updated to include an infographic.
DangerouslyGlutinous on August 1st, 2019 at 04:14 UTC »
BEST part of the debate. That Harris is no friend of the American people - not when you build your career by partnering with private prisons.
illicitandcomlicit on August 1st, 2019 at 04:10 UTC »
Good. Kamala "I'm going to sign an E.O. of you don't do what I say" Harris need to be taken down a notch and her background is going to be her downfall
A_Kindly_Man on August 1st, 2019 at 02:51 UTC »
Harris was getting a bit too much praise for my liking, I'm glad someone decided to shine a light on her record as a prosecutor. I think she'll still linger around, but the playbook against her is open for anyone to use now.