President Joe Biden tasked Vice President Kamala Harris to stem the flow of migrants to the US southern border.
"I asked her, the VP, today, because she's the most qualified person to do it, to lead our efforts with Mexico and the Northern Triangle, and the countries that can help, need help in stemming the movement of so many folks, stemming the migration to our southern border," President Biden said. "I said when we became a team and got elected that the vice president was going to be the last person in the room. "She doesn't realize that means she gets every assignment."
Biden in 2014 and 2015, was asked by then-President Barack Obama to lead diplomatic efforts in Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador.
"Thank you, Mr. President, for having the confidence in me. There is no question that this is a challenging situation," Harris said. "While we are clear that people should not come to the border now, we also understand that we will enforce the law and that we also -- because we can chew gum and walk at the same time -- must address the root causes that cause people to make the trek, as the President has described, to come here."
Those close to Harris said foreign policy and national security are key areas she wants to develop, and has taken steps to beef up her experience.
Photos by Getty Images