Kamala Harris’ Family Members Don’t Clap Her ‘Most Lethal’ Military Remarks

Members of Vice President Kamala Harris’ family appeared to hold their applause when the presidential hopeful described America’s military as the “most lethal” in the world in her keynote speech at the Democratic National Convention.

In her speech at the Democratic National Convention, Harris touched on many issues, often being interrupted by clapping from the audience.

When she arrived at the topic of the military, Harris said: “As Vice President, I have confronted threats to our security, negotiated with foreign leaders, strengthened our alliances, and engaged with our brave troops overseas.

“As Commander-in-Chief, I will ensure America always has the strongest, most lethal fighting force in the world. I will fulfill our sacred obligation to care for our troops and their families.

“And I will always honor, and never disparage, their service and their sacrifice.”

During that statement, the broadcast cameras cut to where Harris’ family were sitting. The line was received well by most of the audience, but some key members of her family appeared to keep their hands in the laps.

Harris’ stepdaughter, Ella Emhoff, was not clapping and neither was the vice president’s younger sister, Maya Harris.

Maya Harris is a lawyer as well and was one of three senior policy advisors for Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign. The 25-year-old Ella Emhoff has gone viral due to her appearances at the DNC this week.

The two frequently applauded Harris at other points during her speech, including the opening, when the Democratic nominee described the advice her parents gave her when she was a child.

Newsweek contacted the Harris campaign for comment on the reactions via email.

Elsewhere in her speech, Harris addressed the conflict on the Gaza war, resulting on one of her loudest sections of applause. The nominee said that she and Biden were working “around the clock” to negotiate a deal for a ceasefire and the release of the hostages.

“Let me be clear, I will always stand up for Israel’s right to defend itself and I will always ensure Israel has the ability to defend itself,” Harris said. “Because the people of Israel must never again face the horror that a terrorist organization called Hamas caused on October 7.”

The DNC has faced repeated disruption from nearly 3,000 protestors opposing the Israel-Gaza war, with police in Chicago facing multiple confrontations with them. The protestors criticized the party for not having a Palestinian speaker on the DNC stage, despite having a speech from Israeli families affected by the war.

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