Hey folks, there’s a video making waves on social media that has a lot of people talking. It’s an old clip of Kamala Harris from her time as San Francisco District Attorney, recorded at a 2010 Google conference. In this video, Harris talks about the power she held as a prosecutor—specifically, the kind of power that could “ruin your life” with just the “swipe of my pen.”
Now, if that sounds a bit alarming, you’re not alone in thinking so. The video shows Harris describing how easily she could charge someone with a misdemeanor, forcing them to go through the hassle of court appearances, hiring a lawyer, and potentially getting arrested. And here’s the kicker: she mentions she might decide to dismiss the charges two weeks later, but by then, the damage would be done.
Here is an example of what I was referencing in my post below…
Kamala Harris in 2010: "The power I have as a prosecutor is that with a swipe of my pen, I can charge someone with a misdemeanor, the lowest level offense possible. And by virtue of that swipe of my pen, you will… https://t.co/Xy1BTWV2gJ pic.twitter.com/CIdLMWS33z
— Tony Seruga (@TonySeruga) August 6, 2024
Harris’s demeanor in the video is also catching attention. Some viewers say she appears to be swaying, slurring, and gesturing dramatically, which only adds to the unsettling tone of her remarks. Whether you agree with that assessment or not, it’s hard to deny that the content of what she’s saying—about wielding such power—comes across as chilling to many.
Supporters of Harris have rushed to her defense, arguing that the video is being taken out of context. They claim she was trying to emphasize the importance of prosecutorial discretion and equity, warning that such power should be used ethically.
One supporter even stated, “She is explaining WHY prosecutors need to wield that power ethically and with an eye towards equity. STOP LYING.”
But here’s the thing: whether or not that was her intent, the way she discusses her power—and the apparent glee she takes in describing it—raises some serious eyebrows. For many, this clip is more than just a snippet of a speech; it feels like a window into a mindset that’s a little too comfortable with the idea of using power to intimidate or punish.
Critics point out that Harris’s comments seem to foreshadow what they see as a troubling trend in the current administration—selective prosecution based on political affiliation.
They argue that the Biden-Harris Justice Department has targeted political opponents while turning a blind eye to allies, and they see Harris’s words from 2010 as an early indicator of this approach.