Steve Cortes, president of the League of American Workers, said that Vice President Kamala Harris refused to attend the Catholic Al Smith dinner, making her the first candidate in four decades to skip the event, and highlighted that she has a “long history of anti-Catholicism.”

“Kamala Harris refuses invitation to the Catholic Al Smith dinner, the first candidate to do so in 4 decades. Even Hillary had the decency to attend!” Cortes wrote in a Sept. 24 social media post on X. “Kamala has a long history of anti-Catholicism, including targeting the Knights of Columbus.”

According to Cortes' column, Harris and Sen. Mazie Hirono previously faced backlash for questioning District Court nominee Brian Buescher’s affiliation with the Knights of Columbus, a Catholic fraternal organization known for its charitable work and adherence to traditional Christian teachings. Harris, in her written questions to Buescher, expressed concern over the organization’s opposition to abortion, suggesting that his membership might indicate bias and affect his ability to serve impartially as a federal judge.

Harris pointed out that the Knights of Columbus, comprised mostly of Catholic men, oppose a woman’s right to choose, raising concerns about Buescher’s views on reproductive rights. Her line of questioning, however, has been met with strong criticism from religious freedom advocates who argue that her focus on Buescher’s religious affiliation reflects an unconstitutional religious litmus test. 

Critics argue that Harris’s concerns about a nominee’s personal religious beliefs set a troubling precedent, implying that individuals who hold traditional Christian views on life and marriage could be barred from public service. The controversy mirrors earlier scrutiny of Catholic nominees and raises questions about whether people of faith are being unfairly excluded from positions of power in government.

This incident has sparked a broader debate about the role of religion in public life, with many accusing Harris of anti-Catholic bias. 

Steve Cortes is a former senior advisor to President Donald Trump, a former commentator for Fox News and CNN, and president of the League of American Workers (LAW), a populist right pro-laborer advocacy group. LAW conducts research and develops proposals on public policies impacting American workers and the economy.