Sen. Roger Marshall (R-KS) has announced his intention to investigate potential bias during the Sept. 10 presidential debate, moderated by ABC News, and his senator’s concerns stem from allegations that Vice President Kamala Harris may have received advance access to the debate questions, a claim denied by ABC News.

Sen. Marshall’s investigation announcement adds fuel to existing Republican claims of bias during the debate, and its results about potentially influence the trajectory of the November election, as the Washington Examiner reports.

During the debate, Harris faced criticism from Trump supporters who suggested she appeared unusually prepared. The allegations came to light after Trump himself remarked on Harris’s familiarity with the questions.

Marshall, responding to these claims, vowed to take action by demanding transparency from both ABC News and the Harris campaign. He announced his plans to send a formal letter to both parties seeking evidence of any coordination ahead of the debate.

ABC News Denies Allegations of Bias

ABC News swiftly responded to the accusations, denying any improper coordination with Harris or her team. The network refuted the claim that Harris had access to the debate questions before the event, stating that its moderators acted fairly and impartially. However, both ABC News and the Harris campaign have remained silent on further requests for comment regarding the investigation.

Republicans have criticized the debate’s moderators, David Muir and Linsey Davis, suggesting that their fact-checking methods unfairly targeted Trump while being more lenient toward Harris. In a previous interview, Davis defended their approach, stating that the moderators ensured key points were addressed by all candidates involved.

Trump Calls the Debate “Rigged”

Former President Donald Trump has publicly denounced the debate, calling it a “rigged show.” He expressed concern over Harris’s performance, claiming that she seemed to have an unusually strong command of the questions. "I watched her talk, and I said, ‘You know, she seems awfully familiar with the questions,’” Trump said in an interview with Fox News.

Trump’s critical remarks come after his decision to withdraw from future debates with Harris, despite previously pushing for multiple debates. He stated that his withdrawal was in part due to his belief that the debate process was skewed in Harris’s favor. The decision drew attention, given Trump’s previous advocacy for additional debates during the campaign.

Historical Context Fuels Debate Bias Allegations

The allegations against Harris and ABC News have reminded some of a past controversy involving former DNC Chairwoman Donna Brazile. In 2016, Brazile was accused of leaking debate topics to then-candidate Hillary Clinton, sparking concerns about media bias in the political process. Though the current accusations against Harris have yet to be substantiated, they have fueled Republican concerns about a possible repeat of past controversies.

Marshall’s inquiry aims to uncover any potential misconduct in the lead-up to the Sept. 10 debate. He is calling for the release of all correspondence between ABC News and the Harris campaign to determine if any pre-debate coordination took place.

Both Parties Continue to Stay Silent

Despite the ongoing accusations, neither ABC News nor the Harris campaign has publicly addressed Marshall’s planned investigation. The silence has left many questions unanswered as Marshall prepares to formally request the release of all relevant records. Supporters of Harris have dismissed the allegations, suggesting they are driven by her strong debate performance rather than any actual wrongdoing.

Democrats have criticized the investigation, arguing that the claims of bias are unfounded and are instead a reaction to Harris's perceived success during the debate. They have pointed out that similar questions are often asked in presidential debates, and Harris’s preparedness should not be seen as suspicious.

Republican Frustration Grows Amid Fact-Checking

Republican frustration with the debate’s moderators continued to mount in the days following the event. Many GOP supporters have taken issue with the fact-checking by Muir and Davis, arguing that they focused too heavily on Trump while allowing Harris to evade scrutiny on key issues.

Davis responded to these criticisms, noting that moderators are tasked with ensuring that each candidate's statements are properly addressed. “People were concerned that statements were allowed to just hang and not [be] disputed by the candidate Biden, at the time, or the moderators,” Davis explained in a previous interview with the *Los Angeles Times*.

Trump’s Decision Raises New Concerns

Trump’s decision to decline future debates has sparked additional concerns among Republicans, who worry that his absence will limit the party’s ability to challenge Harris directly on key issues. While Trump’s critique of the debate process has resonated with many of his supporters, his choice to skip future debates has left some questioning whether the Republican Party will be able to effectively compete on the debate stage moving forward.

Jordan Klepper, a comedian from The Daily Show, humorously downplayed the allegations, noting that presidential debates often feature repeated questions. Klepper quipped that it’s “like being suspicious that someone knows all the words to ‘Take Me Out to the Ball Game,’” referencing the repetitive nature of debate questions across multiple election cycles.

Conclusion: Investigation Poses New Questions

As Sen. Marshall’s investigation looms, both ABC News and the Harris campaign face growing scrutiny over the Sept. 10 debate.

Allegations of bias have sparked a renewed discussion about media impartiality and the fairness of the debate process.

With Trump withdrawing from future debates and accusations of bias swirling, the upcoming investigation will likely play a critical role in shaping the ongoing narrative surrounding the presidential election.