Newsweek issues apology to Kamala Harris

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

• Newsweek magazine issued an apology on Friday over a published op-ed that questioned Senator Kamala Harris’ eligibility to become Joe Biden’s running mate.
• The op-ed was penned by Attorney John Eastman, a conservative who argues that the US Constitution does not grant birthright citizenship.
• Last week, President Donald Trump said he believed the issue was “very serious” but declined to comment on Saturday whether Harris was qualified to serve at the White House.

An apology was issued by Newsweek magazine on Friday after it published an op-ed that tried to undermine Senator Kamala Harris’ qualification as Joe Biden’s vice president. 

A misleading and racist accusation, the article revolved around the Democrat senator’s eligibility by questioning her US citizenship.

“This op-ed is being used by some as a tool to perpetuate racism and xenophobia. We apologize,” wrote Newsweek’s editor’s note on Friday. 

“We entirely failed to anticipate the ways in which the essay would be interpreted, distorted and weaponized,” the apology added, which was signed by Josh Hammer, opinion editor, and Nancy Cooper, global editor in chief. 

The article was written by conservative lawyer John Eastman, who argues that the US Constitution bestows citizenship by birthright. Eastman highlighted the senator’s parents’ immigration status, prompting doubts over her eligibility to run. Harris’ father was born in Jamaica while her mother came from India.

The magazine initially defended the essay, saying that the author “was focusing on a long-standing, somewhat arcane legal debate” about the 14th Amendment and not trying to “ignite a racist conspiracy theory around Kamala Harris’ candidacy.”

Based on the constitutional requirements, Harris is eligible to run for either vice president or president. She was born in Oakland, California, that makes her a legitimate US citizen. Constitutional lawyers said that her eligibility was a no-brainer question.

When asked about the issue on Thursday, President Donald Trump told the media at the White House that he heard some news that Harris was not eligible to sit at the presidency. Trump said that he believes the rumors were “very serious.”

Then on Saturday, he was again asked about his thoughts on the matter. Trump declined to comment on whether Harris does or does not meet the constitutional criteria of the White House.

“I have nothing to do with it. I read something about it,” he said. “It’s not something that bothers me. … It’s not something that we will be pursuing.” 

Pressed if the senator is qualified, the president said: “I just told you. I have not got into it in great detail.”

Despite the apology, Newsweek said that the op-ed would not be taken down.

Source: New York Post