Missouri Sen. Claire McCaskill (D.) praised her California colleague Sen. Kamala Harris on Thursday night as a "leader" in the party's effort to form "an immigration policy that is true to the heritage of this country."
McCaskill introduced Harris at a NAACP dinner in St. Louis they both attended, and delved into the topic of immigration policy that has driven the week's news cycle. McCaskill has said she wants to work with Republicans on their immigration compromise bills, and stressed her desire to "secure the border." Harris, on the other hand, has been one of the most outspoken opponents of Republican immigration legislation and called for Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen to resign.
On Thursday night, McCaskill aligned herself with Harris.
"[Harris] has been a leader in this effort to make sure we have an immigration policy that is true to the heritage of this country, and not to the misguided ideas of this president," McCaskill said.
Harris has taken hardline immigration stances prior to the current uproar over family separation at the border.
In March, Harris defended Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf's decision to warn residents about impending ICE raids, a move Trump called a "disgrace."
"I think Mayor Schaaf is doing exactly what she believes is in the best interest of her community and I support that 100 percent," Harris said.
Harris has also declared that California, which last year declared itself a "sanctuary state, "represents the future" on immigration policy.
McCaskill, who has told voters she thinks she could work with President Trump and stressed that her "job is not to fight" his policies, also called Trump a "very stubborn man who never says he's wrong" during her introduction.
Republican Josh Hawley's team responded to McCaskill's event with Harris by branding her "California Claire" and arguing that their immigration stances align.
McCaskill's introduction and Harris' speech at the NAACP event can be viewed here.