A bombshell report has rocked the political landscape, targeting a prominent figure in the Biden administration.
According to a Daily Mail Online report, Vice President Kamala Harris is facing accusations of plagiarism in her first book, "Smart on Crime: A Career Prosecutor's Plan to Make Us Safer," published in 2009.
The report, authored by Christopher Russo on his Substack, cites findings from Austrian "plagiarism hunter" Stefan Weber. Weber claims to have identified more than a dozen instances of plagiarism in Harris's book.
The accusations include verbatim copying from Wikipedia, Goodwill Industries, and Harris's partner on her 'Back on Track' crime program. Additionally, an entire section was allegedly lifted from an Associated Press story about low graduation rates published in April 2008.
Another instance involves extensive sections taken from a John Jay College of Criminal Justice press release, reportedly used without proper citation. The report also highlights language copied directly from a Bureau of Justice Assistance report on crime statistics in West Palm Beach.
Rufo, commenting on the findings, stated:
They not only lifted material from sources without proper attribution, but in at least one case, relied on a low-quality source, which potentially undermined the accuracy of their conclusion.
The allegations have sparked reactions from political figures, including members of former President Donald Trump's campaign. Senator J.D. Vance, Trump's running mate, took to social media to comment on the situation.
Donald Trump Jr. also weighed in on the controversy, suggesting that this was further evidence of Harris being a "fraud."
Plagiarism accusations have historically been detrimental to political campaigns. The report draws parallels to President Joe Biden's 1987 presidential campaign, which was derailed by similar accusations of copying phrases and mannerisms from a British Labour Party politician.
Christopher Rufo has called for Harris and her publisher to retract the plagiarized passages from the book and issue a correction. He emphasized the seriousness of the allegations, stating, "There is nothing smart about plagiarism, which is the equivalent of an academic crime."
The book in question, "Smart on Crime," played a significant role in Harris's national media debut, raising her political profile as she prepared to run for Attorney General of California.
As of now, the Harris campaign has not responded to requests for comment on these allegations. The controversy adds to the scrutiny faced by high-profile political figures and their published works, reminiscent of recent academic plagiarism scandals that have led to high-profile resignations.
The allegations against Vice President Harris raise questions about the vetting process for political publications and the potential impact on her political career. The controversy continues to unfold, with many awaiting an official response from Harris or her representatives.
