Harris says she is prepared if Trump claims victory before results are certified

Vice President Kamala Harris on Tuesday admitted that her team is prepared in case former President Donald Trump tries to claim victory early next month, before the results of the election are certified.

The comment occurred during a sit-down interview with NBC News reporter Hallie Jackson, who questioned Harris about her plans for the country should she become the first female president. The interview occurred exactly two weeks before the presidential election, which takes place Nov. 5.

Jackson asked Harris what her plans were in case Trump declares victory before all the votes are counted. The vice president initially responded that she was focused on winning the election first, but said her team had "the resources and the expertise" to focus on that scenario if it occurs.

When pushed again on whether she had teams in place, Harris said she understood that Trump celebrating a victory before ballots were fully counted was a possibility. 

"This is a person, Donald Trump, who tried to undo the, a free and fair election, who still denies the will of the people, who incited a violent mob to attack the United States Capitol and 140 law enforcement officers were attacked," Harris said. "This is a serious matter. The American people are ... being presented with a very, very serious decision about what will be the future of our country. 

"It includes whether we are a country that values a president who respects their duty to uphold the Constitution of the United States," she continued. "The choice before the American people is the choice to choose to turn the page on the division and the hate and to bring our country together knowing the vast majority of us have so much more in common than what separates us." 

Jackson also asked Harris whether she would consider pardoning Trump if he is convicted in his ongoing court battles. The vice president tried to dodge the question by not engaging in hypotheticals, but when broached with the idea that pardoning Trump could move the country forward, Harris indicated electing her would be a better option.

"Let me tell you what’s going to help us move on. I get elected President of the United States," Harris said firmly.

Harris also confirmed that she was still open to adding a Republican to her cabinet as a way to show she would be a president "for all people," should she be elected, but did not give any indication on who the Republican would be. 

"I’ll keep you posted," she said.

A full transcript of the interview can be viewed here.

Misty Severi is an evening news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.