Caroline Leavitt Stuns Senate: Kamala Harris Forced to Admit Border Policy Truth

The Senate Judiciary Committee chamber fell silent. Former Vice President Kamala Harris sat rigidly at the witness table, her expression frozen as 27-year-old White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stood confidently before the microphone. What had been scheduled as a routine hearing to scrutinize the Trump administration’s border policies was about to become an extraordinary political showdown.

“Vice President Harris,” Leavitt began, her calm voice carrying through the chamber, “you just testified under oath that your administration never implemented a catch and release policy at the southern border. Is that correct?”

Harris leaned forward, her tone steady. “That’s correct. We had a comprehensive approach to border management—”

“I apologize for interrupting,” Leavitt interjected, polite but firm, “but I need to clarify your statement for the record.” She reached into her portfolio and produced a document. “I have here an internal Department of Homeland Security memo dated April 12th, 2022, signed by Secretary Mayorkas and addressed to you directly.” Leavitt held up the paper, its official letterhead visible to the cameras. “This memo explicitly references your administration’s updated catch and release protocols and includes your handwritten notes in the margins approving the expansion of this program.”

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Gasps erupted across the chamber. Several senators leaned forward. Harris’s attorney whispered urgently in her ear. “Would you like to revise your testimony, Vice President Harris?” Leavitt asked, her gaze unwavering.

The next thirty seconds would shock Washington to its core. Harris, composed but clearly rattled, requested to see the document. Leavitt walked forward, distributing copies to Harris, Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham, and all members. “For the record,” Leavitt continued, “this memo is titled ‘Implementation of Revised Processing Protocols for Non-Detained Migrants,’ dated April 12th, 2022. On page three, Secretary Mayorkas states, ‘The expanded catch and release protocols will go into effect on May 1st, pending your final approval.’ In the margin, there’s a handwritten note: ‘Approved. Proceed as discussed.’”

Senator Amy Klobuchar objected, questioning the document’s authenticity. Chairman Graham noted the objection but pressed Harris: Did she recognize the document and the notes? Harris straightened in her chair. “This appears to be an internal memo, but I would need to review it more thoroughly before confirming its authenticity. What I can say is that our administration never had a blanket catch and release policy. We implemented nuanced protocols based on capacity constraints and humanitarian considerations.”

Leavitt did not miss a beat. “To clarify, Vice President Harris, are you questioning the authenticity of this memo or the handwritten notes?” Harris replied that she’d need to review it more carefully. Leavitt continued, “Perhaps this will help refresh your recollection.” She produced an email from Harris’s chief of staff to Secretary Mayorkas, dated April 15th, 2022, acknowledging receipt of the signed memo and confirming, “The VP has approved revised catch and release protocols and asked that implementation begin as scheduled on May 1st.”

A murmur ran through the chamber. Leavitt pressed on, citing calendar entries of Harris’s meetings about the protocols. Harris, her attorney whispering again, finally responded: “Our administration never referred to our policies as ‘catch and release’ in official communications. That is a politically charged term used by critics. We implemented a systematic approach to border processing that included releasing certain individuals with notice to appear, based on careful risk assessments.”

Leavitt nodded. “However, these documents clearly show your administration internally used precisely that terminology. In fact, I have six additional memos and emails where your team explicitly uses the phrase ‘catch and release’ to describe your policies.” She displayed a briefing paper prepared for Harris’s border visit in June 2022, which included talking points advising her to reframe the discussion away from “catch and release” and toward “humane processing” language.

The chamber had grown exceptionally quiet. Senator Cory Booker tried to intervene, but Leavitt responded, “This isn’t about semantics. Vice President Harris testified under oath that her administration never implemented a catch and release policy. These documents establish that not only did her administration implement exactly such a policy, but they deliberately avoided using that terminology publicly while using it internally. The issue is transparency and accuracy in testimony.”

Faced with overwhelming evidence, Harris finally conceded, “If the committee understands it as catch and release, then yes, such a policy existed within our broader framework.” Leavitt pressed further: “Your earlier testimony stated, ‘We never implemented a catch and release policy at the southern border.’ Would you now characterize that statement as inaccurate?” After a pause, Harris nodded. “I would revise that statement. We did implement controlled release protocols that critics characterized as catch and release.”

The impact was immediate and profound. The hearing, intended as a platform for Harris to critique the Trump administration, had become a showcase for Leavitt’s methodical dismantling of the previous administration’s claims. By evening, video clips of the exchange went viral, with hashtags like #LeavittReceiptsHarris trending nationwide. Analysts across networks called it a masterclass in preparation and accountability.