On Thursday, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy appeared on CNBC’s Squawk Box, where host Joe Kernan pressed him on Kamala Harris’s policy positions, raising concerns about how her agenda could impact the U.S. economy if she were to win next week’s election.

Murphy, a staunch supporter of Harris, was challenged on a range of issues, including Harris’s stance on energy, taxes, and criminal justice reform.

The exchange began as Kernan questioned Murphy on Harris’s proposals, some of which include nationalizing the energy grid, taxing unrealized capital gains, ending cash bail, and mandatory gun buybacks. “What are your favorite proposals from Kamala Harris that make you like her so much?” Kernan asked pointedly.

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Murphy responded with a light-hearted jab, “Joe, for a Jersey guy, you sound like you’re on the Trump campaign, for crying out loud. C’mon, man! You’re cherry-picking stuff!” However, Kernan continued with specific questions, asking Murphy if he supported Harris’s stance on ending the Senate filibuster.

Murphy replied hesitantly, “I’m not sure on the filibuster, honestly, but I think fair tax policy is sensible.”

When pressed further, Murphy was asked to define “fair” tax policy. “Fair means you pay what you should pay,” he replied. Kernan, who resides in New Jersey, then pushed for specifics, asking, “Do you think if I pay fifty-five percent total that’s fair for me, or do I need to pay eighty percent? What would be fair for you?”

Murphy avoided giving an exact percentage, pointing instead to New Jersey’s millionaires tax, implemented in 2019. “Everybody, Joe, including you, said it would drive people out of New Jersey. We have more millionaires today than we’ve ever had in our history. So tax fairness isn’t necessarily a bad thing.”

Kernan also questioned Murphy on whether the U.S. tax system was “progressive enough” and whether he agreed with taxing unrealized gains in the stock market, a concept Harris has expressed openness to.

Murphy admitted he was “not wild” about that idea but emphasized his support for “a democracy that works.”

The discussion shifted as Kernan brought up the Department of Justice’s recent actions under President Joe Biden, asking if Murphy believed the system had been “weaponized” to target political opponents, including former President Donald Trump. Murphy responded, “Come on, Joe, come on. You’ve gotta be kidding me,” dismissing the idea with a shake of his head.

💥 New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy Gets Roasted by Squawk Box’s Joe Kernen

“I live in your state Governor. Do you think if I pay 55% total [in taxes] is that fair for me, or do I need to pay 80%? What would be fair for you?”@JoeSquawk pic.twitter.com/dlt0dDApEq

— Chief Nerd (@TheChiefNerd) October 30, 2024

This segment follows increased scrutiny on Harris’s policy positions by various media outlets, including mainstream sources. CNN previously reported that Harris, during her time as a candidate for California Attorney General, had responded affirmatively to special interest group questionnaires, including one proposal to use taxpayer funds for gender reassignment surgeries for incarcerated individuals. This revelation led CNN host Erin Burnett to question, “She really said that?”

The CNBC exchange highlights the tension surrounding Harris’s platform as election day nears.

Murphy’s appearance, coupled with Kernan’s direct questioning, underscores the challenges Harris faces in gaining support for some of her more progressive policies.

As media coverage increases, the positions she has taken over the years are likely to continue sparking debate in the final stretch of the campaign.