Vice President Kamala Harris is facing renewed scrutiny over her prosecutorial record as her presidential campaign gains momentum, with her past decisions and policies as California's attorney general now under the microscope.

Conservative legal organization America First Legal (AFL) has initiated multiple investigations into Harris' legal and ethical compliance during her tenure as California's top cop and beyond, as Fox News reports.

Harris' prosecutorial actions included the incarceration of parents of children with frequent absences from school and supporting a 2020 bail fund that released some Black Lives Matter rioters who then committed subsequent crimes. As a result, AFL has launched seven investigations into her background.

Investigations Initiated by Conservative Watchdog

AFL alleges that Harris is "the most radically progressive Vice President in American history." Their investigations focus on various aspects of her past, including her alleged failures to comply with federal donor privacy laws, to enforce federal immigration laws, and to pursue equal justice.

Additional concerns include her possible failure to disclose conflicts of interest and address evidence of misconduct. AFL is also probing the nature of investigations by the California Fair Practices Commission and potential cover-ups of misconduct evidence.

Harris' early career was marked by relationships that supposedly aided her ascent. She dated California Assembly Speaker Willie Brown, who allegedly helped her secure influential positions. AFL is now examining possible political favoritism and whether Harris disclosed conflicts of interest during this period.

Controversial Tough-On-Crime Policies Examined

Harris faced significant criticism over her prosecutorial record during her 2020 presidential campaign. Critics argue her tough-on-crime policies disproportionately affected low-income families and minorities.

A notable example is the 2011 truancy law, which allowed district attorneys to charge parents with misdemeanors for their children's chronic absenteeism. In April 2013, Cheree Peoples, an African American mother, was arrested due to this law. In 2019, Harris distanced herself from the truancy law, citing "unintended consequences."

Further criticism targeted her harsh stance on low-level drug offenders, which some claim contributed to the mass incarceration of Black men. In June 2020, Harris promoted a bail fund to help release Black Lives Matter rioters, despite only a fraction of the funds being used for this purpose. The bail fund's website remains active and continues accepting donations.

America First Legal's Claims and Harris' Response

Dan Epstein, president of AFL, voiced several criticisms against Harris. "A lot of her tough on crime reputation goes to her prosecution when she was San Francisco DA, individuals who use marijuana and other sorts of things," Epstein stated.

Epstein continued, "Our investigation, however, makes it very clear that Kamala Harris does not believe much in terms of statutes passed by legislatures, including the Federal United States, Congress, as well as the state of California."

He further added, "And so those are really our probes of her not following the rule of law and bending it for a political objective." Epstein also mentioned, "We also probe numerous kinds of potential ethics issues and failures to disclose conflicts of interest, allowing her own staff as attorney general to engage in fraud and not kind of overseeing that."

On a 2019 podcast, Harris responded to the truancy law controversy, stating, "It never was the intention" to criminalize parents, and described the law’s effects as "unintended consequences."

Political Implications and Future Probes

Some Democrats are framing a potential Harris-Trump matchup in the 2024 elections as "Prosecutor vs. the Felon," referencing Trump's legal issues. Epstein commented on this comparison, "It's fairly clear that nobody disagrees, nobody disagrees that Trump is a felon because of political prosecution."

Epstein argued, "And if the standard for Kamala Harris is that the process that led to Donald Trump being convicted is one of justice and one that she follows, then logically, it means that she is a political prosecutor, not a fair honest broker."

AFL’s investigations reflect claims that Harris selectively enforced laws to further political objectives, leading to questions about her adherence to ethical and legal standards.

Conclusion of Key Issues Harris Faces

Vice President Kamala Harris is subject to increased scrutiny over her record as California attorney general amid her presidential bid. AFL’s seven investigations center on issues like compliance with donor privacy laws, enforcement of immigration laws, pursuit of equal justice, and potential political favoritism, among others.

Her prosecutorial actions, particularly her support of controversial laws and policies, have drawn significant criticism. Despite her efforts to address past policies, Harris' record continues to fuel debate as her campaign moves forward.