In a contentious prelude to the scheduled presidential debate, a Trump campaign official has levied accusations against Vice President Kamala Harris' team.

The Trump campaign contends that the Harris campaign is attempting to alter agreed-upon debate rules to avoid tough scrutiny, potentially even seeking to skip the event altogether, as Fox News reports.

As the political temperature rises ahead of the Sept. 10 debate hosted by ABC News, tensions have flared over the debate's rules. Vice President Kamala Harris has been accused by the Trump campaign of seeking an "escape hatch" to sidestep challenging questions.

Trump campaign senior adviser Jason Miller expressed his views during a Fox News interview, criticizing the Harris team's requests to modify microphone rules which would keep both candidates' microphones on during each other's speaking times.

The initial rule arrangements were based on the format used during the CNN debate between Trump and President Joe Biden, held in June.

Harris Campaign Yet to Agree to ABC News Debate Rules

The rules for the upcoming debate are still under discussion and require approval from both parties. Brian Fallon, a spokesperson for Harris, stated on social media platform X that the Harris campaign has not yet agreed to the draft rules presented by ABC.

Fallon's posts suggest that there is a mutual interest from both candidates to maintain live microphones throughout the debate, contradicting the Trump team's insistence on following the earlier CNN debate rules.

Despite these claims, the Trump campaign remains firm. They argue that the previously established rules should remain in force, highlighting their reluctance to adapt to the new requests from the Harris campaign.

Jason Miller Asserts Harris Is Dodging Debate Responsibilities

Miller's remarks on Fox News outlined a narrative of avoidance by the Harris team, suggesting they fear the repercussions of a live debate scenario.

"They're afraid," Miller stated, claiming that the Harris team fears the Vice President will be held accountable for the administration's record on various fronts.

According to Miller, the reluctance stems from a perceived inability by Harris to defend her track record effectively in a debate format.

"The Harris campaign is looking for an escape hatch, looking for a way to get out of this debate," Miller further elaborated, suggesting that the initial debate preparations revealed weaknesses that the Harris team is now anxious to avoid confronting on a national stage.

Debate Rule Alterations Contested by Trump's Team

The Trump campaign has also voiced concerns over additional changes requested by the Harris team, such as a seated debate format and the use of notes and opening statements.

"We said no changes to the agreed-upon rules," Miller declared, indicating a tough stance on maintaining the integrity of the debate framework.

This firm position highlights a significant sticking point between the two campaigns, with each accusing the other of trying to manipulate the debate conditions to their advantage.

ABC News, the mediator and host of the upcoming debate, has so far declined to comment on these ongoing negotiations, leaving the final format still uncertain.

Brian Fallon Criticizes Trump Team's Inflexibility on Debate Rules

In contrast, Brian Fallon accuses the Trump team of being overly rigid and not aligning with their candidate's preferences, as stated in his social media communications. "The memo sent by ABC is a draft set of rules that both campaigns need to sign off on and indicate agreement. We have not done so because we think both candidates have expressed a clear desire to have hot mics," Fallon explained.

He continued, "We find the Trump team’s stance to be weak, and remain in discussions with ABC on the final rules," indicating ongoing negotiations and disagreements over the debate's structure.

This back-and-forth over the debate rules captures the heightened stakes and strategic maneuvering typical of high-profile political events, with each side positioning itself to claim the upper hand.