US Vice-President Kamala Harris defended her evolving stance on key policy issues during her first interview since announcing her presidential run. In the CNN interview, the Democratic nominee addressed questions about her more moderate positions on immigration and climate compared to her 2019 presidential bid.

“The most important thing is that my values have not changed,” Harris told CNN’s Dana Bash. She also pledged to “turn the page” on the divisive rhetoric of the Trump era alongside her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz.

Former President Donald Trump criticized the interview on Truth Social, calling it “BORING!!!” and labeling Harris a fraud.

Harris defended the administration’s economic track record amidst concerns over inflation and the high cost of living. When asked why more had not been done to address economic challenges, she highlighted the progress made but acknowledged that there was still more work ahead. Polls have consistently shown that many voters prefer Trump’s handling of the economy.

Key Points:

Climate Policy and Fracking: Harris was questioned about her shifting stance on environmental policies, including her past support for the Green New Deal, a 2019 proposal aimed at reducing fossil fuel dependency. She reaffirmed her commitment to addressing the climate crisis and cited the Biden administration’s achievements, such as the Inflation Reduction Act, which allocated substantial funds for renewable energy and electric vehicle incentives.

However, Harris did not directly address her reversal on fracking—a controversial gas and oil extraction method. In 2019, she had unequivocally supported a fracking ban, but since taking office, she has shifted her stance, even casting a tie-breaking Senate vote in favor of new fracking leases. In the interview, she stated, “As president, I will not ban fracking.”

Brian Fallon, a spokesperson for Harris’s campaign, defended the administration’s record, noting that their clean energy investments have shown progress can be made on climate issues without adhering to past positions.