Vice President Kamala Harris is receiving criticism for failing to delete her 2019 social media post that supported Jussie Smollett, even after the actor's conviction for staging a hate crime. Harris, who referred to Smollett as a victim of a "modern-day lynching," has faced backlash for her initial comments and the subsequent lack of action.

In January 2019, Smollett claimed that two masked men attacked him in Chicago, dousing him with bleach, putting a rope around his neck, and shouting, "This is MAGA country!" Harris swiftly expressed her support, calling the incident an "attempted modern-day lynching" and emphasizing the need to confront hate.

However, as the investigation unfolded, it became clear that Smollett had orchestrated the attack. Police discovered evidence that he had recruited two brothers, Abimbola and Olabinjo Osundairo, to stage the incident. Phone records, ride-share records, video surveillance footage, GPS evidence, and text messages and social media messages between Smollett and the Osundairo brothers corroborated their testimony.

During Smollett's trial in 2021, a jury found him guilty on five of six charges of disorderly conduct. He was sentenced to 150 days in jail, 30 months of felony probation, and ordered to pay restitution to the city of Chicago in the amount of $120,106, along with a fine of $25,000. Smollett has since appealed his conviction to the Illinois Supreme Court.

While Harris expressed sadness, frustration, and disappointment after news broke that Smollett had made false claims, critics argue that her initial comments were a "rush to judgment." Eugene Roy, a retired Chicago Police Department chief of detectives, noted that Harris's hasty decision before all the facts were known cast doubt on the integrity of the judicial process.

Harris's campaign and her White House office have yet to respond to requests for comment on her continued social media post supporting Smollett. The lack of action from a government official to delete a post that perpetuates a false claim raises questions about the responsible use of platforms and the impact on public perception of the justice system.

Harris is not the only Democrat who fell for Smollett's hoax. President Joe Biden, then her primary rival, also issued a tweet condemning the purported hate crime, which remains online. The incident highlights the dangers of relying on quick sound bites rather than a thorough, impartial investigation, according to Roy.

As Smollett's case continues to unfold in the Illinois Supreme Court, the scrutiny placed on Harris and other officials who publicly supported him serves as a reminder of the importance of cautious judgment and respect for the judicial process.

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